Ally Girds for GM Showdown as Former Parent Expands Auto Lending

Ally Financial Inc., the U.S.-owned lender preparing for an initial public offering, is bolstering ties to General Motors Co. dealers amid signs the automaker may become a rival in vehicle financing.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Carpenter held dealer meetings in several cities and broke custom by scheduling a first-ever event at the National Automobile Dealers Association in San Francisco this month that didn’t include executives of GM, the biggest U.S. car manufacturer, or Chrysler Group LLC, said Gina Proia, an Ally spokeswoman.