Leader of giggo.com Brings Over a Decade of Finance Experience To E-LOAN's Auto Lending Operations
26 January 2000
E-LOAN Lands Head of giggo.com, DaimlerChrysler's Online Auto Lending Unit; Leader of giggo.com Brings Over a Decade of Finance Experience To E-LOAN's Auto Lending Operations
DUBLIN, Calif.--Jan. 26, 2000--E-LOAN, Inc., an online lending company, today announced that Jeffrey L. Danford, Managing Director of giggo.com, the online auto loan division of DaimlerChrysler, has joined the company as Vice President of Auto Lending Operations. Danford brings over 11 years of experience in all aspects of auto loan acquisition, loan servicing, customer service and dealer relations. In addition, Danford brings consumer online lending experience gained during the launch and daily management of giggo.com. Also joining E-LOAN as Manager of Auto Product Development is Curtis M. Kuboyama, who reported to Danford and was responsible for giggo.com's product, service and lender business development. Danford and Kuboyama will report to Bob Ferber, Senior Vice President, E-LOAN Auto Lending and founder of CarFinance.com, which E-LOAN acquired in September 1999.Danford was hired by DaimlerChrysler in 1998 to conceive and launch an Internet initiative, Danford's vision was to build a consumer-focused business model that allowed buyers to get a loan online before going into a dealership, giving consumers negotiating power of cash buyers.
"E-LOAN's leadership in online auto lending is a powerful lure to the industry's top talent," said Joe Kennedy, E-LOAN President and COO. "Bringing Jeff and Curtis on board will put more horsepower behind our auto loan operations to strengthen our position over other competitors."
Danford joined DaimlerChrysler in 1998 as E-commerce Manager for the company's financial services division, debis. As managing director, Danford guided giggo.com through idea incubation to its World Wide Web launch. Prior to joining DaimlerChrysler, Danford held senior positions within American Honda Finance Corporation and Ford Motor Credit Company where he gained extensive automotive finance experience. Danford earned an MBA from Golden Gate University and a BA in Finance from National University. Kuboyama joined giggo.com early 1999 as a product and services development manager. From 1991 to 1999, Kuboyama served as a sales and marketing manager at American Honda Finance Corporation (AHFC) where he developed and implemented a wide array of retail and lease products.
"E-LOAN is a leader in online auto lending, and Curtis and I really wanted to be a part of propelling their vision to give people a better way to get a car loan," said Danford. "The winning model will deliver customers a multi-lender, multi-product offering and a superior customer experience, and that's the direction E-LOAN is headed. We'll have the opportunity to further develop and implement automotive financing related products and services which will lead the industry in customer satisfaction, and fulfill our dream of making the process of buying and financing a car anxiety free."
Through E-LOAN, consumers can quickly find and qualify for a low auto loan rate and receive a check overnight to take to a dealer and purchase a car. The convenience of securing a loan online and going to a dealer with a check in hand significantly improves the car buying process and puts buyers in a stronger negotiating position.
About E-LOAN, Inc.
Founded in 1996, E-LOAN, Inc., offers mortgages, car loans, credit cards and small business loans.