Ben Atkinson Leaves BBVA for AutoFi, Replaced by Chuck Berend
Ben Atkinson has left his position as senior vice president of auto lending at BBVA Compass to join the online vehicle marketplace AutoFi, as head of lender success — a newly created position, both companies confirmed to Auto Finance News.
He officially left BBVA on April 21st and was immediately replaced by Chuck Berend, who now assumes the title of director of U.S. auto lending. For the past two years Berend has served as BBVA’s director of risk management for consumer finance.
“We wish Ben the best of luck on his new career path,” Shayan Khwaja, BBVA’s executive director of consumer lending, told AFN in a statement. “Chuck brings extensive knowledge and experience to the position, and has been an integral part of the bank’s auto lending operations for the past two years. We’re excited to see him flourish in his new role.”
Atkinson joined BBVA in 2012 as senior vice president of strategies and alliances. Before joining the bank he also worked in various auto finance positions at JPMorgan Chase & Co. as well as Ford Motor Company.
Atkinson is now in charge of leveraging AutoFi “to drive success for our lending partners,” his LinkedIn states. AutoFi is in the midst of a nationwide rollout to Ford dealers following a partnership with Ford Motor Credit earlier this year, and boasts 10 other unnamed used-car finance sources.
The online portal allows users to shop local dealerships for inventory vehicles, apply and accept financing offers, and electronically sign documents in-store or at home.
