Chrysler Financial to cut 9 percent of workforce

DETROIT — Chrysler’s former financial arm says it will reduce its workforce by 9 percent as it restructures and closes a customer service center in Overland Park, Kansas.

Chrysler Financial, a company separate from Chrysler Group, says the moves come as it no longer serves as the automaker’s preferred lender for financing Chrysler vehicle purchases and dealer inventories. GMAC Financial Services is now Chrysler’s leading lender.

Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Chrysler Financial employs about 3,400 people at nine locations and has a global portfolio of nearly $50 billion.

Chrysler Financial said it would no longer provide new financing for Chrysler dealers after Chrysler LLC filed for bankruptcy protection in April.