<prompt> Human: Instead of taking the auto loan approval letter, they are forcing us to take their financing by telling us that we need the actual check from the bank. Is this common? How do we get around this? Dealer financing of 4.6 vs 2.8 with my bank.  <response>: This is standard. An approval letter is not money. Before they let you leave with the car they need a negotiable financial instrument to insure they will be paid for the car. You can sign their contract and take it to your bank, your bank will then have you sign their contract with the vehicle details and issue you a cashiers check made out to the dealer. Take that back to your finance guy and he will give you a receipt and their contract will stop right there. Edit: All the other comments on this thread are incorrect. Former finance director at a car dealership 