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                                                                   Exhibit 10.14
                                PROMISSORY NOTE

$30,532.00                                                         June 13, 2002
                                                           San Diego, California

        FOR VALUE RECEIVED, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the
undersigned, Joseph J. Lydon ("Payor"), promises to pay to the order of
Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., a California corporation ("Accredited"), at 15030
Avenue of Science, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92128, or order ("Holder"), in
lawful money of the United States of America, the principal sum of Thirty
Thousand Five Hundred Thirty-Two and 00/100 Dollars ($30,532.00) on the earlier
of (i) the fourth anniversary of the date of this Promissory Note (this "Note"),
which fourth anniversary is June 13, 2006, and (ii) such date, if any, as
Payor's employment with Accredited may terminate (such earlier date, the "Due
Date").  In addition, principal shall be payable on each anniversary of the date
hereof in an amount equal to the federal income tax credit available to Payor on
his tax return for the preceding calendar year with respect to Payor's federal
Alternative Minimum Tax liability for calendar year 2001.  Principal shall bear
interest from the date hereof at a rate of Ten Percent (10.0%) per annum (the
"Note Rate") on the unpaid balance of this Note, compounded annually.  Accrued
but unpaid interest shall be payable on each anniversary of the date hereof and
on the Due Date.  The entire outstanding balance of principal and accrued but
unpaid interest shall be due and payable on the Due Date.

        1. Terms and Conditions of Payments. Each payment shall be credited
first to accrued but unpaid interest and the balance to principal, and interest
shall cease to accrue on the amount of principal so paid. Should interest not be
paid when due hereunder, it shall be added to the principal and thereafter bear
like interest as the principal, provided such unpaid interest so compounded
shall not exceed an amount equal to simple interest on the unpaid principal at
the maximum rate permitted by law. Interest shall be computed of the basis of a
year of 365 days and the actual number of days elapsed.

        2. Prepayment. Payor may prepay all or part of the outstanding principal
balance of this Note at any time.

        3. Default. If any installment of interest or principal shall not be
paid within fifteen days after Payor shall receive written notice of default,
Holder shall have all the rights and remedies available to it under this Note
and applicable law, and shall have the right to declare all or part of the
principal under this Note, and any accrued interest thereon, immediately due
and payable.

        4. General Provisions.

                (a) Holder shall not be deemed, by any act of omission or
commission, to have waived any of its rights or remedies hereunder unless such
waiver is in writing and signed by Holder and then only to the extent
specifically set forth in writing. A waiver with reference as to one event shall
not be construed as continuing or as a bar to or waiver of any right or remedy
as to a subsequent event. No delay or omission of Holder to exercise any right,
whether before or after a default hereunder, shall impair any such right or
shall be construed to be a waiver of any right or default, and the acceptance at
any time by Holder of any past-due amounts shall not be deemed to be a waiver of

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the right to require prompt payment when due of any other amounts then or
thereafter due and payable.  All payments shall be made without set-off or
counterclaim.

                (b) The remedies of Holder as provided herein, or at law or in
equity, shall be cumulative and concurrent, and may be pursued singly,
successively, or together at the sole discretion of Holder, and may be exercised
as often as occasion therefor shall occur.

                (c) This Note shall be governed and construed in accordance with
and pursuant to the laws of the State of California.

                (d) Payor agrees to reimburse Holder for all costs of collection
or enforcement of this Note, whether or not suit is filed, including, but not
limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by Holder.

                (e) Upon payment in full of all principal and interest payable
hereunder, this Note shall be surrendered to Payor for cancellation.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound
hereby, has duly executed this Note as of the day and year first above written.


                                         /s/ Joseph J. Lydon
                                         -----------------------
                                             JOSEPH J. LYDON