RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. (July 3, 2006) — Finance Express, which operates an auto finance platform for independent dealers, announced it has hired Shannon Acton for the newly created position of vice president of direct lending. She will be responsible for the dealer finance application program, as well as manage key strategic direct lending and partner relationships, according to company executives.

"We are proud to have Shannon join our team," said David Huber, president of Finance Express. "Her addition will bring great success to both the company and to our fast growing network of dealers and lenders."

Acton noted, "It's exciting to joining such an innovative company that recognizes the importance of catering products and services to a long-neglected marketing segment — the independent dealer. The recently launched finance lead program drives qualified auto loan applications directly into the dealer's Finance Express online auto finance platform.

"Now, the independent auto dealer has a profitable resource for driving incremental car sales from Internet consumers delivered to them in real time," she continued. "What's even more compelling is that dealers have the ability to select their own lead criteria, so that they are getting only customers that fit into their particular financial niche."

Company executives said Acton brings more than eight years of auto Internet marketing, account management and project management experience to Finance Express. Prior to joining the company, she served as director of project development and director of online marketing for Autobytel.