GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (Aug. 2, 2006) — Continuing the expansion of its services for dealers and consumers, Chase Auto Finance announced Tuesday it will open a prime/near prime business center in Atlanta this month to provide dealers with both prime and near prime loan options for consumers looking to buy new or used vehicles, as well as offering auto loans for businesses.

The new office will be included at Chase's existing Customer Finance Business Center at 500 Town Park Lane, Suite 100 in Kennesaw.

"By opening a prime/near prime business center, Chase will strengthen its 20-plus-year commitment to dealers and individuals in the Atlanta area," explained Joe Scimone, president of Prime Auto for Chase. "Car buyers span the credit spectrum, so we are making it even more convenient for auto dealers in the region to meet their customers' diverse needs."

Lori Toole is slated to head up the Chase prime/near prime sales team in Atlanta. She will work with district regional managers Melissa Messeguer, Scott Aron and Charlie Cole, in addition to credit manager Brent Oliver and credit analysts Cassandra Parrish and Rena Mosley.

Executives said Steve Top manages the site's subprime center, which employs approximately 30 people, including district regional managers Cathy Swann and Sue Dingle. They also noted that Alan Smith serves as dealer commercial services senior banker.

"By bringing together our teams in this major market, we can more fully support dealers and thus, their customers by providing them with more of the attention and quality service they have come to expect from Chase over the years," explained Bill Jensen, national subprime executive at Chase Auto Finance.
The Atlanta expansion comes not long after the company's July announcement about increased services in Seattle. The new center in Seattle — located at 1301 Fifth Street, Suite 3300 — offers dealers a broader range of finance options. The center will also provide commercial loans to dealerships, executives said.
"Car buyers span the credit spectrum, so Chase makes it even more convenient for retail and commercial dealers to meet their customers' diverse needs," Scimone said at the time.
Company executives said Jim Unteed will head up the Seattle prime credit team, while Andy Mulligan will manage the subprime group. Moreover, Micki Robbins, dealer commercial services division manager, will provide commercial banking services to dealers in the region.