3 min read

Deal Jacket

A digital deal jacket is an electronic repository that securely houses all documents, forms, and data related to a vehicle transaction in a dealership’s management system. Unlike paper-based folders, digital deal jackets consolidate all documents, sales agreements, credit applications, product disclosures, funding decisions, signatures, and compliance forms within a centralized, cloud-based platform.

This enables authorized dealership staff to instantly access, review, edit, and audit the transaction from any location without relying on physical paperwork.

Purpose of Deal Jacket

The digital deal jacket is essential to:

Eliminate manual document handling and the risk of misplaced or incomplete paperwork
Improve compliance by embedding rules, form versions, and timestamps into the workflow
Speed up internal review, funding, and delivery processes
Provide an auditable, easily retrievable record of every document used in the transaction

By digitizing the deal jacket, dealerships combine operational efficiency and document control while creating a scalable foundation for multi-store oversight.

What Does a Deal Jacket Include?

In most modern platforms, the digital deal jacket is generated automatically once a vehicle sale is initiated. It typically contains:

Component	Description
Sales Documents	Purchase agreement, buyer’s order, trade appraisal
Finance & Insurance Docs	Credit application, lender approval, product menus
Compliance Forms	Adverse action notices, OFAC checks, privacy notices
Signatures	e-signature files and timestamp confirmations
Supporting Attachments	Driver’s license copies, proof of insurance, payoff letters

Example Workflow of a Deal Jacket:

Deal Initiated → System creates a new digital deal jacket
Required Forms List Generated → Dynamic form list based on deal type
Documents Uploaded / e-Signed → Stored in encrypted format
Audit Check → Missing items flagged for completion
Deal Approved → Jacket is locked and archived

Measuring Compliance with Completion Rate

One of the most important performance indicators for digital deal jackets is the Compliance Completion Rate. This metric shows how many jackets are fully complete with all required forms, compared to the total number created. Tracking this figure helps dealerships identify gaps, reduce funding delays, and strengthen compliance.

Formula:

Completion Rate (%) = (Number of Fully Completed Digital Deal Jackets / Total Deal Jackets Created) × 100

Example:If 145 out of 150 digital deal jackets were finished with every required form in place:

Completion Rate = (145 ÷ 150) × 100 = 96.7%

A consistently high completion rate reflects disciplined processes, fewer compliance risks, and faster deal funding.

Importance of Deal Jacket

Digital deal jackets offer several operational advantages:

Speed: Faster funding and delivery because documents can be reviewed instantly
Accuracy: Built-in validation ensures only current versions of forms are used
Security: Documents are encrypted and access-restricted to authorized staff only
Audit Readiness: Timestamps and login trails provide a transparent audit record
Multi-Store Efficiency: Centralized access allows group-level controllers to review deals from any rooftop
Disaster Recovery: Unlike paper jackets, digital storage protects documents against loss, fire, or physical damage

Implementation Challenges

System Setup: Each deal type (cash, finance, or lease) requires a tailored set of forms. If these are not mapped correctly within the DMS, compliance gaps and funding delays are almost guaranteed. A one-time setup review with your compliance team ensures the right forms populate every time.
User Training: Even the best system fails if staff aren’t trained. Sales, F&I, and admin teams need hands-on instruction to upload, tag, and submit documents consistently. Regular refreshers help reduce errors and keep processes aligned.
Version Control: Outdated or incorrect forms can create major compliance issues. Digital deal jacket platforms should automatically disable expired versions and enforce the use of current, approved forms.
Data Security: Customer information is highly sensitive. Dealerships must implement role-based permissions, multi-factor authentication, and encryption to ensure only authorized personnel can access or edit deal jackets.
Backup and Archival Rules: Digital storage is only as reliable as its backup system. Ongoing data backup, secure cloud storage, and clear archival policies protect the dealership against accidental loss, system failures, or cyber incidents.

When implemented correctly, a digital deal jacket streamlines the entire deal lifecycle, ensures regulatory compliance, and supports rapid funding and delivery.

ATN offers hands-on digital deal jacket training for dealership teams.

Contact ATN today to train your staff with time-saving digital transaction resources.