Dealers, customers can benefit from biweekly payment plans.(NEWS)(Village Automotive Group)

Byline: Jim Henry

Biweekly payments for auto loans are becoming more popular in this tight economy because they offer advantages to both customers and dealers, say vendors and dealers.

"It's a no-brainer, said Ray Ciccolo, owner of the Village Automotive Group, of Boston, which sells seven brands. Ciccolo said his dealerships started offering biweekly payments a few months ago.

Since his dealerships began offering biweekly payments, Ciccolo said, F&I profits have risen. Biweekly payments account for slightly less than 5 percent of his business, but they are gaining sales as the F&I managers become familiar with the concept.

"Grosses are so …