Western Funding Acquired by Former SeaWest Chief
LAS VEGAS — Auto Dealer Monthly reported in a Monday blog post that Western Funding Inc., an independent finance company since its founding nearly 50 years ago, was sold to the former operators of SeaWest Financial Corp. The sale was reportedly completed on Oct. 15.
The family-owned and -operated firm was headed by CEO Dwight Cope, whose parents founded Western Funding in 1962. Cope could not be reached for comment as of press time.
The acquiring party appears to be Frederick Cooper, a co-founder of Las Vegas-based SeaWest Financial Corp. Cooper was president of SeaWest from 1995 until 2004, then managing partner at Columbus, Ohio-based Harbor Auto Finance LLC.
According to Cooper's LinkedIn profile, he has assumed the title of president and CEO of Western Funding. Cooper also could not be reached for comment as of press time.
More Industry

Kia Closes Out Summer With a Bang
Its U.S. subsidiary broke multiple records in August, in part due to a surge of demand for hybrids models.
Read More →
Indiana Dealership Changes Hands
A 30-year-old Ford dealership in Indiana has a new owner and will soon be undergoing renovations to meet manufacturer requirements.
Read More →
Texas Dealership No Longer in the Family
The Ford store, a longtime cornerstone of the Houston market, is now part of one of the fastest-growing U.S. auto groups.
Read More →
Genesis Grows California Presence
The Cardinale Automotive Group opened its third Genesis rooftop in the Golden State, Genesis of San Bruno, a stand-alone dealership serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
Read More →
August Auto Sales a Mixed Bag
An early forecast shows strong business despite consumer hurdles, and hybrids are a big piece of their affordability coping strategy.
Read More →
EV Market Humming Along
July sales show steady growth as the segment stabilizes from last year’s artificial surge following pullback of federal support.
Read More →
Auto Loan Delinquency Rates Stabilize
Auto loans are a main driver of nonmortgage consumer debt, but delinquency rates stabilized in the second quarter across all credit risk tiers.
Read More →
EV Sales Recover in Q2
The EV sales roller coaster continues as numbers show improvement, but industry experts predict a year-over-year third-quarter decline and fourth-quarter jump.
Read More →
The Cheapest Hybrids to Fuel
The powertrain is increasing in popularity, in no small part due to its fuel economy. A new report lists the most efficient hybrids on the market.
Read More →
Hybrids and SUVs Gaining Ground
The most recent Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch found that only two nonluxury brands increased in shopper consideration, buoyed by their hybrid and SUV offerings.
Read More →