Biography & Credentials
The foremost national authority in consumer vehicle leasing and financing — a career defined by scholarship, regulatory leadership, and courtroom expertise.
Professional Summary
Mr. McCathren has more than 40 years of experience in all areas of management consulting, litigation support, regulatory compliance, and financial analysis in the wholesale and retail vehicle financing and leasing, vehicle insurance, and dealership fields.
As President of BLC Associates, Inc. since 1982, he has served as a consultant to major bank, subprime finance, and auto manufacturer captive finance companies, as well as major insurance, remarketing, collections, information technology, dealership, and portfolio servicing vendors on wholesale and retail vehicle financing and leasing issues.
He is recognized as the national expert on dealer and finance company compliance including Regulation Z and Regulation M issues, loss projections, residual value insurance, program management, and legal issues. His expertise spans the full spectrum of consumer automotive finance — from program design and pricing models to economic analysis, litigation preparation, and tax and accounting analysis.
Mr. McCathren was the founder and served as Managing Director of the Association of Consumer Vehicle Lessors (ACVL) from 1993 to 2024, managing the trade association in all technical areas regarding litigation, regulatory compliance, residual risk management, operations, and collections. The ACVL represents all of the major domestic and import captive finance companies, banks, and independent lessors.
Education
B.S. Engineering & Applied Science
magna cum laude · 1971
J.D. · 1974
Associate Editor, California Law Review
Professional Rating
Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Rating — the highest possible peer review rating for legal ability and ethical standards.
By the Numbers
Career History
President
1982 – Present
Principal consultant to major bank, subprime finance, auto dealership and auto manufacturer captive finance companies on wholesale and retail vehicle financing and leasing issues. Expert witness in 75+ litigation cases. National expert on Regulation Z and Regulation M compliance, vehicle insurance, program management, and legal issues.
Managing Director
1993 – 2024
Managed the trade association representing all major domestic and import captive finance companies, banks, and independent lessors. Authored all Association regulatory comments including Regulation M comments. Managed Legal, Tax, Operations, and Residual Risk Committees. Coordinated lobbying and regulatory activities at federal and state levels.
Regulatory Consultant
1990's
Consultant to FRB legal staff on Regulation M development. Conducted leasing seminar for FRB legal staff on the economic and policy background of the consumer vehicle leasing industry. Principal author of all vehicle leasing consumer education materials.
Industry Trainer
2011
Provided training to CFPB attorneys at the initiation of their investigation of vehicle lease practices — establishing the factual and regulatory framework for the Bureau's oversight of the industry.
Legislative Consultant
1989 – 1994
Worked closely with NY Attorney General staff and NYC Department of Consumer Affairs on development of the New York Motor Vehicle Retail Leasing Act — the first comprehensive vehicle leasing consumer protection statute in the country, enacted January 31, 1994.
Published Works
1985
The first authoritative treatise on consumer vehicle leasing, establishing the foundational framework for understanding the legal, financial, accounting and regulatory dimensions of the industry.
1989
The comprehensive practitioner's guide to auto lending and leasing — covering program design, regulatory compliance, documentation, and risk management across all major product types.
1986 – 2005
A monthly newsletter on program policies, economic analysis, and the legal context of retail vehicle leasing and financing — published continuously for nearly 20 years.
Media Appearances
Television appearances and quotations related to consumer vehicle leasing and electric vehicles have appeared in:
NBC TV
Public Broadcasting Corp.
Newsweek
New York Times
Washington Post
Los Angeles Times
USA Today
Business Week
Wall Street Journal
Fortune
Christian Science Monitor
U.S. News & World Report
Money
Forbes
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