New Tools Enable Dealers and Software Vendors to Offer
Credit-qualified Payments
Frisco, TX – January 27, 2026 – Informativ, a provider of fraud prevention, compliance, payments, and credit technology for the automotive and consumer finance industries, is unveiling two new innovations, SmartPencil and Payments API, at NADA 2026 in Las Vegas.  Informativ is backed by Capstreet, a Houston-based lower middle market private equity firm.
SmartPencil is built for modern-day deal complexity and enables automotive dealers to:
- Identify potential improvements on deals
- Eliminate reliance on institutional knowledge and reduce deal rewrites
- Ensure consistency and speed regardless of who’s behind the desk
- Quickly see multiple lender scenarios and payment structures
- Enforce FTC-compliant workflows
“SmartPencil gives desk managers the data and flexibility needed to win more deals in today’s high-stakes dealership environment by automatically recommending lender-qualified vehicles and deal structures,” Michael Byrd, Chief Revenue Officer of Informativ.
SmartPencil builds in lender rules, compliance safeguards, and payment accuracy at the earliest stages of the deal, addressing some of the most common challenges dealers face:
- Standardized pencils that support profit optimization
- Instant “what-if” scenarios to adjust terms quickly
- Compliance-focused workflow
- Guardrails to ensure consumer credit is aligned to lender programs
SmartPencil is powered by Informativ’s Payments API, the intelligent Payments-as-a-Service platform built to deliver real-time, transaction-ready loan and lease payments. While SmartPencil is available directly to dealers, Payments API is available to automotive software partners, powering marketing platforms, desking tools, dealer websites, and digital retail platforms to deliver accurate, fundable offers at the VIN level.
“We’re excited to share with automotive software partners the power and flexibility of our Payments API,” said David Domm, Managing Partner, Payments. “Payments is a REST API that plugs into digital automotive platforms with ease and is built for real-time delivery and high-volume performance.”
Dealers attending NADA 2026 in Las Vegas can see SmartPencil and Payments API in action at Informativ Booth #4137W. NADA is also highlighting SmartPencil throughout the Expo Hall:
- A Sidekick for Superhero Desk Managers: NADA Pitch Competition (NADALive Stage); Wednesday, February 4th at 11:00am
- Up-level Your Talent with Credit-qualified Payments: NADA Product Discovery Stage (Booth 2117W); Thursday, February 5th at 11:00am
NADA will also be showcasing how top dealers can leverage Informativ’s suite of solutions to combat fraud and enforce compliance:
- Top Dealers Talk About Fraud Challenges & Showroom Wins: NADALive Stage; Wednesday, February 4th at 1:30pm
- Fraud & Fine Prevention Playbook: NADA Dealer Learning Lab (Booth 8233N), Thursday, February 5th, 11:15am
David Carner, CEO of Informativ, added, “With SmartPencil and our Payments API, we’re striving to help dealers and software vendors deliver faster, more accurate, and compliant deals and meeting the industry’s demand for smarter, more streamlined retailing.”
More information can be found at https://informativ.com/events/nada/
About Informativ
Informativ is a provider of fraud prevention, compliance, credit, and payments technology delivering a seamless, integrated platform for automotive and consumer finance industries across the U.S. Informativ’s software optimizes the consumer finance qualification process, ensures compliance, and enhances profitability through automation and risk mitigation. Informativ is proud to be recognized on the 2025 and 2024 Inc. 5000* list of America’s fastest-growing private companies and as a 2025 and 2024 Great Place To Work** certified employer. For more information, visit www.informativ.com
About Capstreet
Founded in 1990, Capstreet invests in lower middle market business service companies. With more than 50 platform investments and more than 200 add-on acquisitions since inception, Capstreet’s investment strategy is focused on utilizing its Capvalue Framework® to help accelerate growth and profitability, and create long-term sustainable businesses. The majority of Capstreet’s investments have been with founder or entrepreneur-owned businesses. For more information, visit the Capstreet website, https://capstreet.com.
Informativ Media Contact:
Christina Wofford
SVP, Marketing, Informativ
cwofford@informativ.com
602-363-0134
* Companies on both the 2024 and 2025 Inc. 5000 list were ranked according to percentage revenue growth over the preceding three-year period. Companies must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent. Informativ paid a fee to apply to be considered for the award and is not affiliated with Inc.Â
** Great Place To Work® Certification™ is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience. This award is the opinion of the party conferring the award and not of Informativ or Capstreet. Informativ paid a fee to apply to be considered for the award.