Our Mission
Our mission at AutoPayPlus is to help our members budget better, protect their credit and be debt-free sooner.
We offer automated payment services, credit score monitoring and tools to help members as they buy cars, purchase homes, send their children to college and provide for their families. Our goal is for our end customers to have the peace of mind that comes with debt freedom and the promise of a brighter financial future.
Who Is AutoPayPlus?
AutoPayPlus by US Equity Advantage is an industry-leading automated loan payment service that offers consumers flexible payment options matched to their paychecks, which leads to better budgeting, prevents late fees, and can accelerate the loan payoff.
Since 2003, AutoPayPlus has enrolled more than 250,000 members and processed more than $5.65 billion in loan payments, primarily through the automotive industry and the company’s long-term relationships with independent agents and dealerships nationwide.
Our Core Values
Above & Beyond
Do The Right Thing
Team
Work Ethic
We Care
Innovation
Who are we
Compliant Payment Processor
AutoPayPlus has a dedicated compliance department that is actively engaged in meeting all regulatory compliance issues. We operate in all 50 states, partnering with automotive, RV and power sports dealers to provide a payment service that helps consumers improve their financial outlook.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Our team is dedicated to supporting our partners.
CEO and Founder
Robert Steenbergh
Robert is a groundbreaker in automotive financing, driving innovations for more than two decades and making AutoPayPlus the leading provider of biweekly loan processing for the automotive industry.
As CEO, Robert takes an active role in overseeing all aspects of AutoPayPlus’s operations, including banking, legal and consulting with regulatory experts in all compliance matters pertaining to federal and state regulations. He is also a leading advocate in the broader financial space for issues related to consumer financial protections and industry compliance.
Robert began his career as a trial attorney in New York City representing auto dealers and finance companies before taking over leadership of a national automotive software company that provided financial analysis and CRM software solutions to automotive dealerships.
In 2003, he co-founded AutoPayPlus’s predecessor, MenuVantage. Automotive’s largest web-based menu selling software system at the time, MenuVantage led the industry in innovation and growth, providing dealers with best in class F&I tools and the most advanced technology available to ensure compliance and increased per unit profit. The company was acquired by ADP (now CDK) in 2009 and its software is still used in thousands of dealerships nationwide.
Robert earned his Juris Doctor from Albany Law School of Union University and his undergraduate degree from Siena College in Albany County, New York.
Chief Sales Officer
John Stephens
With more than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, John joined AutoPayPlus in 2021 as Chief Sales Officer.
Most recently, John served as Executive Vice President of Dealer Services at Texas-based EFG Companies where he oversaw the direct sales and service channels, providing solutions and engagement to optimize profitability for EFG’s dealer partners. John also spent 16 years with the Mac Haik Auto Group in Houston in positions of increasing responsibility, including F&I director, used-car manager, new-car director and general sales manager. While working for Mac Haik, the store ranked in the top 10 nationally for retail unit sales. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in business administration, management and operations from Houston Baptist University.
Chief Financial Officer
Don Retreage
Servant leader, business partner and growth-focused CFO creating order from chaos while reducing business complexity. Collaborated and/or served DOD, United Nations and Fortune 100 companies. Multi-lingual in English, Spanish, Portuguese. Drive transformation by forming “Level 10 Teams.” Expert at operationalizing strategy with a transparent leadership style that is popular with employees and produces excellent results. Track record for guiding international operations, driving revenues, expanding the market and serving customers in challenging geopolitical environments with extensive cross-cultural marketplaces. Expert in disclosure and transparency governance, including 8Ks, 10Ks and proxies filed with the SEC.
Chief Marketing Officer
Katherine Pett
In 2020, Katherine joined AutoPayPlus as Chief Marketing Officer. Skilled at transforming customer data into meaningful and actionable insights, she leads the planning, development, and implementation of all marketing strategies, including external and internal marketing communications and public relations.
A certified Six Sigma Black Belt with expertise in advanced statistical analysis and process improvement methodology, Katherine comes to AutoPayPlus with a decade of experience in developing and promoting products, programs, and services for the aviation industry. She began her career at Cessna Aircraft Company where she rose through the ranks from customer account manager to brand manager for the Citation business jet line and aftermarket product development manager. Most recently, she served as the director of business development/business relations in Florida for Kansas-based Aircraft Interior Products. Notably, Katherine’s career in aviation also includes 20 years in the United States Air Force, serving as squadron flight leader and instructor/evaluator for the 18th Air Refueling Squadron based in Wichita, Kansas. During her service, she was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster in 2008 and the Air Medal in 1991.
Compliance Officer
Patricia Weeks
Pat is an 18-year banking business executive who joined AutoPayPlus in 2012 to oversee the company’s state money transmission licensing, including the application process and staying compliant with state money transmission laws, GLBA customer privacy issues and FinCEN releases. She also supports the training of AutoPayPlus employees in BSA/AML matters and works with the development team to ensure that information security and record retention matters are handled in accordance with regulation.
Previously, Pat served as a corporate underwriter for commercial and industrial lines of business and commercial real estate at several large regional banks in Central Florida and has extensive experience in BSA/AML and financial regulatory training.
Feeling Inspired? Come Join the Team!
Licensing and Compliance
Commitment to Compliance
AutoPayPlus has a dedicated compliance department that is actively engaged in meeting all regulatory compliance issues in the marketplace.
Protected Electronic Money Transfer
EFTA (Electronic Funds Transfer Act): AutoPayPlus complies with all aspects of the EFTA related to our customers’ transactions to ensure they are properly informed and their electronic transfers are protected.
Registered with
FinCEN
In accordance with the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the Department of Treasury’s Title 31 CFR Chapter X, AutoPayPlus is registered with FinCEN and a dedicated BSA/AML officer oversees all aspects of BSA/AML policy.
Privacy & Security
are Paramount
GLBA (Gramm Leach Bliley Act): The GLBA governs customer privacy measures to ensure their security and protection. AutoPayPlus complies with all information safeguards and diligently projects our customer information with strict personnel procedures and encrypted data.
NACHA
Compliance
NACHA (National Clearing House Association) Operating Rules and Guidelines: NACHA manages the development, administration and governance of the ACH network. Failing to maintain acceptable return levels could result in being shut out of the ACH network and the immediate inability to continue operations. AutoPayPlus maintains return levels well below threshold values.
AM Best
Rating A
Under the state money transmitter license statutes, AutoPayPlus is bonded in excess of $10M from an insurance carrier that carries an AM best Rating of A+ and is audited by each and every state banking department once every 12-18 months.
