A high-ranking official from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is among the speakers on tap to be a part of American Financial Services Association’s 18th annual Vehicle Finance Conference and Exposition set to begin on Jan. 22 at the Sheraton New Orleans.

AFSA highlighted Patrice Ficklin, assistant director of the CFPB’s office of fair lending, will discuss the bureau’s approach to regulation and compliance based on the bureau’s fair lending bulletin issued last March.

The three-day conference will kick off with a macro-level examination of industry trends by:

—John Gray, president of Experian Automotive

—Michael Buckingham, senior director of automotive finance at J.D. Power & Associates

—Sarah Watt House, economist at Wells Fargo Securities

Experts from top-notch research, strategy and vehicle finance firms will delve into technology innovations, how to connect with younger generations, relationship management, and risk management, in line with the conference theme “Navigating the New Normal.”

Bob Lutz, retired vice chairman of General Motors, will share key lessons that he learned over his 47-year career and identify best practices during the keynote address.

A candid panel discussion among vehicle finance chief executive officers will feature:

—Dan Berce, president and CEO of General Motors Financial

—Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO of auto and student loans at Chase Auto Finance

—Mike Groff, president and CEO of Toyota Financial Services.

In addition, four leaders from the National Automobile Dealers Association will share the dealer perspective in the “Top Issues for Dealers in 2014” session.

The conference will close with a look forward as Sheryl Connelly, global consumer trends and futuring manager at Ford, shares probable shifts in consumer values, attitudes, and behaviors.

View the complete schedule and register for AFSA’s 2014 Vehicle Finance Conference and Exposition at www.vehiclefinanceconference.com.