Presidents Memo

During this special season, we want to take a moment to express our deepest appreciation for your support, generosity, and partnership. Mostly, we are grateful for our clients who entrust us to be a helping hand in their journey of economic empowerment.

This year, we have persisted through challenging market dynamics, including higher cost of used vehicles, a higher interest rate environment, and other inflationary impacts. All of these are felt acutely by our neighbors and our clients. These challenging market conditions make On the Road’s work even more critical and make your continued generosity and support essential.

Lonnie Smith · December 15, 2023

Early giving has started for north Texas Giving Day, the largest community-wide giving event in the nation. The giving event mobilizes nonprofits and givers to create lasting impact in their communities. The big day is September 21, but early giving is open through September 20.

Lonnie Smith · September 05, 2023

Well, it’s about time! The Consumer Price Index and Producer Price Index recently hit their lowest levels in a few years. Could these last few years of price increases finally be over? Could inflation be slowing down? Well, I say it’s just in time. I was reading that the Fed will probably raise rates again at its next meeting, which means that interest rates for all things will go up.

Bill Long · July 18, 2023

As the temperatures rise and summer unfolds, it’s a season of new beginnings and celebrations of accomplishments. My oldest stepson reported to his first assignment at Fort Bliss in El Paso after completing his infantry training at Fort Bragg, and my oldest son graduated from Illinois Wesleyan with a degree in Finance.

Lonnie Smith · June 21, 2023

With Mother’s Day in May, it’s a great time to reflect on the influence that mothers have on their families. This year Mother’s Day is especially important to me because my daughter-in-law will soon be a mother for the first time!

Bill Long · May 10, 2023

Now in its 10^th year, On the Road Lending has empowered more than 1,500 families with the freedom of mobility and access to quality transportation to live their best lives. With an estimated $20,000 cost savings per family per loan, that is nearly $30,000,000 helping working families transform their futures.

Lonnie Smith · April 07, 2023

So here we are in March of 2023, and as a country we are divided on a lot of things. Politics, government spending, COVID, and student loan forgiveness are just a few. But there is one thing that always rings true in the U.S. that ties us together, and that is our shared resiliency. Throughout history, we have always persevered.

Bill Long · February 28, 2023

As we start a new year, many of us make resolutions about what we would like to improve. As an organization, the new year gives us a chance to reflect on what we did well and what we can improve. As we work on this internally, we also will be reaching out to many of you as partners, clients, and stakeholders in our work together.

Lonnie Smith · January 27, 2023

Beyond our affordable loans for reliable cars, On the Road Lending provides several additional products that offer peace of mind, help save money, and even protect cars from theft. We want every person who gets a loan with us to be successful in repaying it to either establish or reestablish their credit. 

Bill Long · September 16, 2022

Did you know that donating can make you feel better? A recent article in Fast Company explained that scientific studies show spending money on others feels better than splurging on ourselves and that when we give, our brain’s reward circuitry lights up more than when we receive.

Lonnie Smith · August 22, 2022

I have written before about making sure that I have savings in the bank and how my mother taught me to have discipline with spending and saving. Financial times like we’re all experiencing now prove she was wise beyond her years. With record inflation in our nation, rising costs are eating away at what we would normally have left to spend on living after our savings have been deposited.

Bill Long · July 06, 2022

In high school, I was thin as a stick with boat paddles as feet as my dad would say. Growing up, my mom restricted the sweets we had in the house due to my dad having diabetes. So, when I left for college and afterwards, I went all out—Mountain Dew and Doritos was my go-to snack. Thanks to those bad habits, today I’m deemed morbidly obese. I’m working toward a goal of losing 10% of my body weight to get healthier

Lonnie Smith · June 10, 2022

I was downtown the other day and saw some kids from the university walking in their caps and gowns heading to grab a meal. May is truly graduation season. The scene brought back memories of my own college graduation many years ago. I remember the way I felt knowing that I was starting a new phase in my life. I was excited to be finished with school but a little scared about entering the job market with no experience.

Bill Long · May 18, 2022

It’s hard to ask for help. I know firsthand the angst, sometimes shame, fear, and anxiety it can cause. All these varying crippling emotions can sometimes lead to inaction. Relatable? But it’s important to remember that reaching out for a supporting hand can be the first step toward creating positive personal or community change.

Lonnie Smith · April 11, 2022

Growing up I knew there were many places where I could spend the money I earned from my various jobs. I also knew I would have to be a big contributor to my education due to my family’s financial circumstances. Early on I understood the concept of paying yourself first. I have my mother to thank for that.

Bill Long · January 23, 2022

I recently traveled to Kansas City, my hometown, to see my family that still lives there and to celebrate my niece who will be graduating this month from Mizzou in nursing. My family home is not the same after the loss of my dad, who passed away after the 2015 holidays. But my mom, who is in her upper 70s and losing sight in one of her eyes, decorated her home for the holidays and enjoyed having the company.

Lonnie Smith · December 15, 2021

Have you ever heard the phrase, “upside down on your car loan?” This means you owe more on your loan than your vehicle is worth. For example, if you have a loan with a $17,000 balance on a vehicle that only has a market value of $13,000, you have negative equity, meaning you’re $4,000 upside down on your loan.

Lonnie Smith · November 04, 2021