Universal Lenders’ ZERO Plan Wins DCA Diamond for F&I Financing
The ZERO Plan by Universal Lenders has earned first-place Diamond honors in the F&I Financing category in the 2019 Dealers’ Choice Awards.

OAK PARK, Ill. — The ZERO Plan by Universal Lenders has been awarded top honors in the 2019 Dealers’ Choice Awards, taking the Diamond award for best F&I Financing company, as voted on by auto dealers nationwide.
“We are thankful to all our loyal dealer clients who voted for us. As a former franchised dealer, I designed the ZERO Plan to meet and exceed all our dealer client’s expectations,” said Jeff Jacobs, the company’s founder and CEO. “My 30 years of being a dealer and understanding what a dealer wants is what sets the ZERO Plan apart from our competition.”
The Dealers’ Choice Awards are determined by a survey sent to readers of Auto Dealer Today and F&I and Showroom magazines. Voting was open solely to dealers and dealership personnel.
The awards will be presented during a special ceremony at Industry Summit, to be held Nov. 4–6, 2019, in New Orleans.
Originally posted on F&I and Showroom
More Awards

Voting Now Open for 2026 Dealers' Choice Awards
Voting is now open for the 22nd annual Dealers’ Choice Awards, a program designed to recognize auto dealers’ favorite vendors, suppliers, and finance partners.
Read More →
IIHS Adds to Safety Rankings
A midsize Hyundai and a small Toyota have joined the nonprofit's 2026 Top Safety Pick+ award rankings, thanks to improved crash test results and crash-prevention measures.
Read More →
Time Dealer of the Year Named
David Wright of Iowa rises to the top of nearly 50 nominees across the country on his record of business growth and contributions to his dealership’s community.
Read More →

Automakers Take Home Safety Awards
Tweaks to models put them over the top while others miss out due to substandard crash test results
Read More →
Child Seats Easier to Install in Some Cars
Annual testing scored 2025 models on ease across five categories.
Read More →
5 Industry Legends Join F&I Hall of Fame
The second annual induction recognized luminaries who helped advance F&I training, production, compliance, agency-building and product development.
Read More →
Kia Honored for Auto Designs
Five awards recognize concept vehicles, including ‘transformer’-type model.
Read More →
Winners of 2025 Dealers’ Choice Awards Announced
Now in its 21st year, the program was designed to recognize the industry’s best vendors, suppliers, and finance partners by asking dealers and dealership personnel to complete a 32-category online survey.
Read More →
2025 Dealers' Choice Awards Voting Closed
The 2025 online survey will remain open until 11:59 PM on Monday, May 19.
Read More →