On Thursday, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation granted deposit insurance to Ford Motor Company’s newly proposed industrial bank, clearing the way for Ford to offer a range of financial products directly to consumers and dealers. The approval follows Ford’s submission earlier this year of a detailed business plan outlining credit, leasing and payment services aimed at supporting EV adoption. Industry analysts note that Ford joins a select group of nonbank corporations—now including General Motors—with FDIC-backed industrial banks, a move expected to boost its captive finance arm’s profitability and reduce reliance on third-party lenders by an estimated $500 million annually within three years.

Data from Cox Automotive shows the Ford F-150 Lightning sold more than 20,237 units in 2025, outpacing Tesla’s Cybertruck by a margin of at least 5,000 vehicles. Lightning deliveries rose 12% year-over-year despite broader EV market headwinds, with fleet and retail orders split roughly 60/40. Strong demand in California, Texas and the Northeast helped offset softer sales in the Midwest. Ford’s ongoing investment in a second battery line—slated to begin production in Q4 2026—aims to lift Lightning capacity by 40%, targeting annual volumes of 150,000 units by 2028 and reinforcing its leadership in the electric pickup segment.