Along with naming a new general counsel to fill a void created by retirement, Exeter Finance recently launched its new, comprehensive dealer portal.

The finance company that specializes in non-prime and subprime paper highlighted that its portal now available nationwide and can provide dealers with “better, faster service as they help their non-prime and near-prime customers purchase the vehicles they need.”

Exeter Finance said through a news release that the new dealer portal can provide real-time access to current application status, as well as the ability to rehash and discuss deals with Exeter’s buyers and funders via live chat.

In addition, when dealers use Dealertrack or RouteOne to access the portal, Exeter said dealers have immediate, direct access to important information regarding any callback they receive.

Plus, the e-contracting process is simplified and document uploading is easy and intuitive, according to the finance company.

“We have leveraged our deep expertise in lending and technology to build a new, digital platform unlike any other in our segment of the market,” Exeter senior vice president of loan originations Jerad Brown said in the news release. “We’ve made it simple for auto dealers to conduct business and communicate with us fully via our portal — especially if they use special features like our chat functionality and document-uploading capability.

“It has never been easier to work with Exeter, and we hope dealers will rely on it to help their customers,” Brown continued.

Exeter noted that the roll-out follows a successful pilot program that allowed select dealers to experience the finance company’s simplified and expedited application and funding processes within the digital platform during the past 90 days.

Based on that success, Exeter’s dealer portal has now been made available to the approximately 12,000 franchised and independent dealers the company works with nationwide.

Dealers not yet working with Exeter are encouraged to sign up or submit an inquiry to the company’s dealer operations group.

New general counsel

In other company news, Exeter also recently announced that Eldridge Burns assumed duties as the company’s new general counsel on March 31. The move was made because executive vice president and general counsel Walt Evans will retire.

According to another news release, Evans served as Exeter’s general counsel for 14 years and has held senior legal executive positions for more than 30 years.

Before joining Exeter, Evans also worked for ACE Cash Express and Hollywood Casino Corp., a publicly traded gaming company.

Exeter chief executive officer Jason Grubb said Evans has been a tremendous asset to the company, and he wished the veteran leader all the best in retirement.

“Walt has been with Exeter almost since the company was founded in 2006. He has provided not only stellar legal counsel through the years, but also tremendous insight and perspective as the company has grown,” Grubb said in the news release. “He’s incredibly steady and thoughtful, and we can’t thank Walt enough for his contributions to our success. We all wish him the very best in the retirement that’s ahead.”

Grubb said that Evans will remain with the company until the end of April assisting Burns through a transition period. Burns officially assumed the role as Exeter’s executive vice president and general counsel on March 31.

Burns will lead the legal and compliance departments, as well as serve on the company’s executive leadership team.

Exeter highlighted that Burns has more than 25 years in the legal field with extensive experience in financial services, regulatory compliance and capital markets. He most recently served as EVP and chief legal officer at Mr. Cooper Group Inc.

Previously, Burns was general counsel at TopGolf, and before that he was chief legal officer and general counsel for Santander Consumer USA.

“First and foremost, Eldridge understands financial services and auto finance. He is a veteran in our industry and brings vast subject-matter expertise and leadership skills to our organization,” Grubb said. “Beyond that, he also has a sharp legal mind that is essential to have on the Exeter team as we strive to meet the needs of our many stakeholders.

“We’re truly fortunate to be able to bring someone of his caliber to Exeter at this critical point in our journey,” Grubb went on to say.