2023 Best Mortgage Companies to Work For

ByBrad Finkelstein, Bonnie Sinnock, Spencer Lee, Andrew Martinez, Maria Volkova, Heidi Patalano

March 9, 2023 6:34 AM

Enjoy complimentary access to top ideas and insights — selected by our editors.

National Mortgage News is proud to present the fifth annual Best Mortgage Companies to Work For list, which offers a spotlight to lenders that are supportive employers while also supplying them with employee feedback on their strengths and weaknesses.

It's not an easy time to be in the home lending business and the companies atop 2023's list of the Best Mortgage Companies to Work For are well aware of the challenges they face with declining originations. Despite the cloudy outlook for future interest rates and housing, these employers have supported the workers who've kept them going by providing the transparency, recognition and in many cases innovative benefits.

NMN best companies 2023

2023 Best Large Mortgage Companies to Work For

March 15, 2023 5:05 AM

This ranking is a partnership between National Mortgage News and the Best Companies Group, which conducts extensive employee surveys and reviews employer reports on benefits and policies. The employee survey covers eight topics: leadership and planning; corporate culture and communications; role satisfaction; work environment; relationship with supervisor; training, development and resources; pay and benefits; and overall engagement.

Once the survey data is analyzed, the companies get a score that decides their ranking. The overall score is calculated using the employee survey (weighed at 75%) and the employer questionnaire (25%). To qualify for consideration, organizations with 25 or more employees need a minimum response rate of 40% while organizations with 25 or fewer employees need 80%.

NMN best companies 2023

2023's Best Mid-Sized Mortgage Companies to Work For

March 20, 2023 9:38 AM

Participation is open to a standalone mortgage lender, mortgage broker, mortgage servicer, or mortgage unit of a diversified financial services firm with at least 15 permanent employees working in the United States. While companies must opt-in to the rankings, not every entity that participates in the survey makes the list.

Below, we offer a look into how the companies approach various aspects of the internal cultures, from business strategies to benefits and recognition programs.

NMN best companies 2023

2023 Best Small Mortgage Companies to Work For

March 16, 2023 5:00 AM

CT Childrens Superhero Day.

RCN Capital

Headquarters: South Windsor, Connecticut
Number of employees: 250
Website:

www.rcncapital.com

The fix-and-flip lender was formed in 2010 in response to the lack of funding for investor lenders following the Great Financial Crisis, CEO Jeffrey Tesch said. Today, RCN counts offices in Connecticut, Charlotte and Los Angeles but does more business east of the Mississippi River, he said.

Its product mix includes new construction, multifamily and long-term rental financing.

RCN counts little turnover and the majority of leadership were internally promoted, Tesch said. On the heels of hitting internal goals last year, the firm offered each employee and a guest a weekend getaway in Florida, one example of its rewards for staff. The lender's success is due in part to its trust in its employees, including promoting their ideas. "That foster of openness is something that is critical to growing your company," he said.

M2 Lending Solutions

Headquarters: Denver, Colorado
Number of employees: 22
Website:

www.m2lending.com

With more than 20 years in the business, this private lender focuses on customized products for first-timers, investors and others while providing a full range of benefits to employees including a 401k match, wellness programs, and a fully stocked kitchen in its flexible workspace.

Spring EQ

Headquarters: Radnor, Pennsylvania
Number of employees: 448
Website:

www.springeq.com

Spring EQ is a home-equity specialist launched five-plus years ago that has worked with a network of banks, credit unions and Wall Street investors to help its customers find competitive financing in a variety of market environments.

"Home prices have come down, but the amount of equity available to customers is still high," said Chief Experience Officer Drew Kese.

Spring EQ's home-equity loans and lines of credit at the time of this writing were available to a range of customers with credit scores as low as 640 and combined loan-to-value ratios as high as 95% in some cases. It has been originating loans through direct-to-consumer and wholesale channels.

"Both sides of the business are growing and we support relationships with large and small brokers," Kese said.

Servicing responsibility for loans varies by investor. Some of it goes to a strategic subservicing partner the company has that specializes in the product.

Spring EQ hires some people with first-mortgage backgrounds, but notes that the home equity business does require a different mindset.

"We're trying to find a way to leverage that experience, but also get them to look at the transactions differently," Kese said. "Home equity products can be one-third to one-fourth the size of a mortgage, so we have to originate at one third or a quarter of the cost for this to work. We have to do more units and have a process that supports that."

Post-Holiday Dinner with Rehab Financial.

Rehab Financial Group

Headquarters: Rosemont, Pennsylvania
Number of employees: 34
Website:

www.rehabfinancial.com

The business was formed in 2009 from a predecessor firm that was winding down during the Great Financial Crisis, said co-founder and president Susan Naftulin. Rehab is a major fix-and-flip and fix-to-rent lender and attracts a wide variety of borrowers across East Coast markets. The firm enjoyed a successful 2022 despite greater market turmoil, delivering raises and bonuses to those who earned them and not undertaking any layoffs.

Internally, Rehab has a casual working style and isn't very hierarchical, Naftulin said.

"We have a collegial group. We work really well together," she said. "There's a great deal of humor. It's very personal. Which isn't to say we don't work hard, but we respect each other and we're polite to each other and we speak nicely to each other and it's your job to fit in."

A group of Republic State Mortgage Houston-area employees gathered for Happy Hour.

Republic State Mortgage

Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Number of Employees: 164
Website:

www.republicstatemortgage.com

Republic State Mortgage was founded in 1994 and it is owned by Robert Wagnon, CEO and Paulina McGrath, president and CFO. It has 25 offices and is licensed in 14 states. Among its employee-friendly policies is that it allows pets in the office.

"While being experts in our field and providing excellent customer service is critical, it's just as important that our employees lead an extraordinary life outside the office. We measure performance of all kinds and share it with our team members so that we can consistently improve as a connected and cohesive team," a statement from the company said.

The TQL Christmas Party.

Total Quality Lending

Headquarters: Irvine, California
Numbers of employees: 40
Website:

www.totalqualitylending.com

After working for big corporate home lenders, Christopher Paliska and Becky Quarress co-founded this boutique shop in April 2019 to "help less people do more." The CEO and COO, respectively, also sought to create a company culture that supports their employees entirely - even their spiritual health. "We committed to helping people total quality life in faith, relationships, health, wealth," Paliska said. They've produced a number of personal development events for staffers, including hosting speakers to couch staffers on how to navigate anxiety, depression, and other issues. The company headquartered in Irvine, California is licensed to do business in 30 states and currently has five offices.

Every year, Supreme goes all out for Halloween with costume contests, spooky snacks, and more.

Supreme Lending

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Number of Employees: 2130
Website:

www.supremelending.com

"Downturns are opportunities. Use a downturn to chart a new and better path forward, motivating and keeping hope alive along the way," said Mills Landon, Supreme Lending's chief strategy officer. "It helps to look at things in a different perspective: Last year was the hardest year of my career, but it was also the best of all time watching our team learn and grow; work closer together; and build lasting bonds."

When it fixed up its headquarters in Dallas, Supreme added a game room outfitted with numerous options and the latest tech; lounge areas for socializing and informal meetings; and an automatic barista coffee machine. "We also formed a concierge team dedicated to planning opportunities for fun and engagement at all Supreme events," Landon said.

Its loan offerings include conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo and renovation products.

Supreme has continuous training and development, with its training team launching new on-demand, short training for personal and professional growth weekly.

Logan Finance

Headquarters: Hauppauge, New York
Number of Employees: 146
Website:

www.loganfinance.com

Logan Finance, a wholesale and correspondent lender specializing in non-QM and nonagency products, grew significantly over the last two years, adding over 100 new employees nationwide, according to Terry Mitchell, chief people officer.

Although its staff is almost entirely remote and located across the country, the company's leaders are managing to build a sense of branding and culture through twice weekly all-staff virtual meetings, where employees are kept abreast of what is happening at the company.

The company also schedules a weekly online Jeopardy-style trivia competition each Friday. "What we tell people is 'That's our water cooler,' in order for you to be able to meet people and know them outside of the business and have a little bit of fun," Mitchell said.

The UNMB 2022 Annual Kickoff in Levittown, NY.

UNMB Home Loans

Headquarters: Levittown, New York
Number of Employees: 175
Website:

www.unmb.com

"Our plans are to find those people, those loan officers and that talent that's going to be displaced for the circumstances that they had nothing to do with," said Don Giorgio, CEO and president. "As much as we bring them on board, they bring us on board to their career."

UNMB is licensed in 20 states and the District of Columbia. It started business in 1979. The company won eight "culture badges" in 2019 from Energage, an organization that measures those metrics.

"Let's look at any staff member here, whether it's a loan opener, a closer, an underwriter, processor or a loan officer, they're our customers to a degree," Giorgio said. "And how do we treat and respect our customers, they should be treated no differently from the people that borrow money from us and be engaged and excited about that, they don't have to go to work, they get to go to work at UNMB."

Canopy Mortgage holds an activity to support an employee with breast cancer.

Canopy Mortgage

Headquarters: Lindon, Utah
Number of employees: 363
Website:

www.canopymortgage.com

Canopy aims to offer competitive efficiencies through a proprietary loan origination system, flat organizational structure and sales to aggregators, according to its website. Loans it offers include conventional and government-backed and jumbo products. Box Home Loans is a division of Canopy and both have been led by co-founders Jeff Reeves and Aaron Brown. Reeves has been the point man for technology. Brown has taken the lead when it comes to marketing.

Kind Lending

Headquarters: Santa Ana, California
Number of employees: 406
Website:

www.kindlending.com

Kind Lending was founded in 2020 by Glenn Stearns and offers a range of mortgage products for borrowers. Though the company is fairly young, Kind Lending has already expanded into 46 states and its assets are worth approximately $2.5 billion.

The name of the company is tightly interwoven with its identity, as such, the lenders' loan officers are dubbed as "kind ambassadors," according to a company spokesperson.

"They're the heart and soul of the organization and our 'People Before Profits' mentality shines through in every department," they noted. Kind Lending offers non-qm, conventional, government and reverse mortgage products.

Team members join in on an 80's dress up party to celebrate VanDyk's 35th anniversary.

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation

Headquarters: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Number of Employees: 431
Website: www.vandykmortgage.com

Retail lender and servicer VanDyk Mortgage employs high tech tools to ease the mortgage process for borrowers and carries that theme to assist its staff members.

"Any of the enhancements that we do, any of the efficiencies that we gain, stuff that we bolt on AI stuff — it's always geared around, trying to make them better, make them more efficient," said President Jonathon Barnes.

"We want you to know more than just what your job is. It makes you a more rounded person within your job, but it also gives you a future opportunity with growth," he added.

The company also pairs new hires with longtime employees, who can pass on knowledge and experience to develop the next generation of mortgage professionals.

The Envoy Mortgage Team celebrates.

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Envoy Mortgage

Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Number of employees: 818
Website:

www.envoymortgage.com

Houston, Texas-based Envoy Mortgage has been in business since 2002. In a little more than two decades the company, worth close to $250 million, has amassed a network of over 140 locations nationwide. Originally, the company was dubbed First Houston Mortgage, but was renamed in 2008 to Envoy. Envoy is a Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae approved seller and servicer and offers a variety of loan products, including conventional, government and jumbo products to consumers.

"Envoy's commitment to providing a stress-free home buying process, from beginning to end, is a top priority and the reason for their 98% customer satisfaction," a company spokesperson said.

Coastal Credit Union staffers gather.

Coastal Credit Union

Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina
Number of employees: 69
Website:

www.coastal24.com

Coastal's CEO Chuck Purvis, who has been with the credit union since 2012, will be retiring in March and succeeded by Tyler Grodi, who previously headed up EFCU Financial in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Vice President Wendy Dawson leads Coastal's mortgage team. Coastal's residential finance offerings include first-lien mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, according to its website.

The credit union as a whole and other aspects of its operations also have received national, state and local recognition on Best Companies to Work For lists. Coastal was among the top credit unions in 2021.

In 2022, it was on the list of leading North Carolina Employers to Work For and in the top ranks of companies in the Triangle region around Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. The company also received recognition as one of the Leaders in Diversity from the Triangle Business Journal in 2020, and the Advancing Equity Award from the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation this year. In its most recent surveys, the company had a net promoter score of 66.9 on a scale of -100 to 100. (Bain & Company's NPS is a customer-loyalty measure in which "good" companies generally have scores ranging from 0 to around 80, and those with scores above 50 are in a relatively higher tier.)

A few members of Inlanta's Pewaukee, Wisconsin branch enjoying the patio party.

Inlanta Mortgage

Headquarters: Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Number of employees: 199
Website:

www.inlanta.com

Inlanta Mortgage was founded by John Knowlton in 1993. The Pewaukee, Wisconsin-based lender, which serves borrowers in 27 states, prides itself on having a "small family-owned business mindset." Though this small business outlook may have to change, as the lender was acquired by Guild Mortgage in December 2022. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed. In the past, Inlanta has earned numerous awards for best places to work and exceptional customer service. It offers reverse mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages, renovation loans, government and conventional products. Following its acquisition, the lender, which was valued at $90 million, has been renamed to Guild Mortgage Inlanta.

The Downtown Columbus Team of Revolution Mortgage.

Revolution Mortgage

Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio
Number of employees: 640
Website:

www.revolutionmortgage.com

The rapidly growing lender has branches scattered across the 47 states it lends in, but retains larger presences in the Carolinas, Colorado, Ohio, Texas and Washington, said founder and CEO Tony Grothouse. Conforming loans make 78% of Revolution's originations, and the firm is working on a new construction product. The firm holds three major annual gatherings including a golf tournament, and keeps camaraderie high with offerings like food and drinks for its spread-out workforce.

"Our culture is really based around one simple word,' he said. "It's about winning. It's a winning culture, and really the ability of our people to serve, serving and winning go hand-in-hand for us."

Embrace branch manager meeting.

KIM FULLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Embrace Home Loans

Headquarters: Middletown, Rhode Island
Number of employees: 651
Website:

www.embracehomeloans.com

Embrace Home Loans, founded in 1983 "with a couple of yellow legal pads and one shiny typewriter," is a full service nationwide mortgage lender based in Middletown, Rhode Island. The company, which was founded by Dennis F. Hardiman, originally was named Advanced Financial Services. In 2009, following the acquisition of Mason Dixon Funding, the company decided to change its name after realizing that "every client relationship begins and ends with an embrace."

Embrace Home Loans offers a variety of mortgage products ranging from conventional, government, jumbo and construction loans. For its employees, the company offers competitive compensation and benefits, including an annual 401k profit sharing contribution.

The average tenure of an Embrace loan officer is just over seven years, compared to the industry average of approximately two years, according to the company spokesperson. Additionally, the company prides itself on donating a percentage of its earnings to charity, with more than $25 million being donated to the communities it serves over the past decade.

Mortgage Investors Group

Headquarters: Knoxville, Tennessee
Number of employees: 419
Website:

www.migonline.com

With a rookie of the month award and a trip for its top producers, Southeast lender Mortgage Investors Group offers a robust lineup of recognition programs in addition to personal development and stress management workshops. The company was founded in 1989 by Chuck Tonkin and CEO Chrissi Rhea.

Mortgage Network

Headquarters: Danvers, Massachusetts
Number of employees: 354
Website:

www.mortgagenetwork.com

The Fort Mills, South Carolina-based Movement Mortgage acquired this company in December 2022. At the time of this writing, Movement had confirmed the acquisition had closed but did not respond to further requests for comment. Mortgage Network had a statement posted on its website saying that its loan officer, processor, underwriting and closing team was still in place post acquisition and would be working on Movement's technology platform while offering a wide range of fixed and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages. Loan products listed included government-backed mortgages, jumbo, renovation, rural and home equity loans.

Newfi new hires in the office in Arizona.

Newfi Lending

Headquarters: Emeryville, California
Number of employees: 218
Website:

www.newfi.com

Emeryville, California-based Newfi Lending is a consumer direct and wholesale mortgage lender that is "committed to helping borrowers finance their futures across the country." The company was founded in 2014 by Steve Abreu.

Newfi offers standard financing solutions including conventional and government loans, but what makes it stand out from competitors is its "simple,innovative mortgage solutions," which range from a variety of non-qm loans, jumbo loans and adjustable mortgage products. "At the heart of it, we are extremely nimble and have made significant industry product innovations that make people love coming to work," a company spokesperson said.

Geneva Financial

Headquarters: Chandler, Arizona
Number of Employees: 713
Website:

www.genevafi.com

In business since 2007, Geneva Financial carries a range of products beyond traditional forward conventional, government and jumbo mortgages The company operates commercial and reverse mortgage divisions and offers several specialty niche loans as well. It is an active corporate participant in the hero loan program, which promotes homeownership and frequently grants down payment assistance to veterans, first responders, educators and medical personnel.

"The other niche that we're in is a business-to business affinity program," said James Polinori, chief marketing officer. "That's going to companies and having an offering for their employees." The program was created by Geneva Financial CEO Aaron VanTrojen.

The company experienced growth in 2022, seeing a net gain in new originators and entering new markets, through strategic planning and marketing, Polinori said. "People know who Geneva is more often now."

Group photo of top originators and high-performance employees at Victorian Finance taken during the team's dinner cruise in New Orleans as part of the annual summit.

Victorian Finance

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Number of employees: 121
Website:

www.victorianfinance.com

As Victorian Finance celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, Founder and President Eugene "Sonny" Bringol credits patience and dedication for its longevity. "People don't respect relationships with those who only show up every now and then," he said. "They want somebody they know is always there. We're not hard salespeople. We're patiently persistent."

The lender headquartered in Pittsburgh, which operates in 36 states, extends that sense of loyalty to its employees, one of whom lived not far from the recent Ohio train derailment that unleashed a host of chemicals into the atmosphere in the region. The company has offered for that person and their family to stay in a Pittsburgh home the company keeps for visiting staff.

"Those are things that are just beyond your control and we don't have a handbook for that. It's just, do what you need to do."

With the company at a headcount of 121 as of the survey's closure, Bringol said he's looking to grow the firm, but only a little.

"I don't think I have the ability to run a large enough company of 500 people and still keep the culture where it is," he said. "Our growth plan is really to get to maybe two or 300 people. Beyond that, you can't really keep a family culture the way you want."

Taylor Morrison Home Funding staff take part in packing day to prepare personal care donations to those in need.

Taylor Morrison Home Funding

Headquarters: Maitland, Florida
Number of employees: 357
Website:

www.taylormorrisonhf.com

Led by President Tawn Kelly, this lender headquartered in Maitland, Florida offers a number of reward and recognition programs designed to keep staffers engaged. Their Applause program offers social and financial awards for employees who demonstrate the company's core values, and when employees hit milestones in their years of employment with the company, they receive tiered bonuses and floating holidays.

Thrive Mortgage's operations, training, sales leadership, and marketing divisions taking in an Atlanta Braves game during a trip to onboard a new Region of over 70 loan officers in the Southeast!

Thrive Mortgage

Headquarters: Georgetown, Texas
Number of employees: 647
Website:

www.thrivemortgage.com

Georgetown, Texas-based Thrive Mortgage was founded in 2001 by Roy Jones and Selene Srnensky Kellam. The company was originally named Georgetown Mortgage, but was rebranded in 2018 to better reflect its values of "helping its customers thrive." Since its inception, the company has been actively expanding its presence and is currently licensed in forty states coast to coast.

Thrive offers a slew of mortgage products ranging from construction loans, government loans and conventional products. The company is actively involved on a local and national level in lobbying efforts to expand homeownership opportunities for underserved neighborhoods and minority communities. Additionally, the lender has established a committee dubbed "HomeFront" which is a "first line of support to our community whether it comes in the form of organizing disaster relief for market areas or a personal tragedy impacting on of our own."

Our team at a local family festival, sporting our First Heritgage Mortgage blue.

First Heritage Mortgage

Headquarters: Fairfax, Virginia
Number of Employees: 212
Website: www.fhmtg.com

First Heritage Mortgage, a national retail lender that offers construction and renovation loans and other specialty financing alongside the full array of conventional and government loans, offers a regular Instagram video series introducing employees across all levels of the company to one another and the public.

With staff coming into the office on a regular basis, First Heritage also offers free lunches weekly and a quarterly happy hour or cultural celebration to build collegial working relationships among staff. Its corporate office features two terraces and a layout meant to encourage communication.

InterLinc Mortgage

Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Number of employees: 325
Website:

www.interlincmortgage.com

InterLinc's CEO and President Gene Thompson navigated the privately-owned company through a volatile market during its second year under new leadership. Thompson, a former originator who rose through the ranks to president and chief operating officer before his CEO appointment, implemented several growth strategies for the year that allowed the purchase-focused lender to close its 2022 books with "a very respectful profit compared to the industry," according to a statement from the company.

InterLinc operates in 29 states, and has created an aggressive plan to continue its growth in some major cities this year.

Developer's Mortgage Company employees gather for their annual holiday party.

Developer's Mortgage Company

Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio
Number of Employees: 72
Website:

www.developersmortgage.com

"Since 1980, Developer's Mortgage has been providing home financing, and offering a wide array of loan options to fit most every need. We are not your typical mortgage company. We are really good at what we do, and we believe it's important," a company statement said. "Our client-centric process is straight forward and simple. Our job is to help educate our customers, give them choices, explain to them what the process will be, and then make sure we live up to that commitment."

The company has eight branches in five states, primarily Ohio and Pennsylvania. It offers employees flexible schedules and the opportunity for remote work.

Two North Dakota Housing Finance Agency team members who participated in the Summer Lunch Program for local school children. This program provides free lunch for school age children during the summer months.

North Dakota Housing Finance Agency

Headquarters: Bismarck, North Dakota
Number of employees: 26
Website:

www.ndhfa.org

The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency has been ranked as one of Best Mortgage Companies to Work for in servicing for the second year in a row.

"We never sell servicing off. It stays right here locally. So I always like to tell people that you've got questions, you've got somebody local here that's got the answers," said Brandon Dettlaff, director of the homeownership division.

While NDHFA is a state agency, it does not operate off of public funding but rather has a self-supporting business model.

"All of our revenues are created from our homeownership programs. Any profits we do make are reinvested into other homeownership opportunities," Dettlaff said.

The agency occasionally has job openings that it's recently been filling with people from customer service backgrounds and offers some training. While the pay at a state agency has limits, the company offers other forms of internal and external community engagement other organizations may not, he said.

"We've seen some people come in from non-banks and also completely random walks of life and become incredible team members," Detlaff said. "We hope people stay. They could leave us for another job in the banking world, but so far we haven't really seen that."

Churchill Mortgage

Headquarters: Brentwood, Tennessee
Number of employees: 711
Website:

www.churchillmortgage.com

Churchill is the only company personal-finance expert Dave Ramsey has talked about on his show. In line with that recommendation from Ramsey, an advocate of minimal-to-no debt, Churchill offers a no-score loan to people who lack one due to paying off all their borrowings.

The company's list of loan products and secondary market outlets is expansive, encompassing everything from standard government-related mortgages to products like construction-to-perm financing. It lends in 49 states through both brick and mortar locations and third-party origination partners.

"We have an outlet for just about everything," said Michael Brown, a senior loan officer at the company.

The company was still looking to bring on board strong sales professionals at the time of this writing.

"We are looking to add some really good sales teams and top-producing loan officers," he said, noting that the company treats its staff as part of a community, noting one recent instance where employees offered emotional and prayer support to one of their number whose spouse was ill.

The company is also one of the few mortgage companies to offer an employee stock ownership plan.

Highlands Residential Mortgage's Miramar, Florida branch picnic.

Highlands Residential Mortgage

Headquarters: Allen, Texas
Number of Employees: 507
Website: www.highlandsmortgage.com

With over 40 branches across the country, Highlands Residential offers a full array of conventional and government mortgages as well as renovation and construction loans.

To support both the health and well-being of its 500-plus team, the company provides an onsite workout facility and offers access to classes dealing with topics, such as managing stress and financial education.

Radius Financial Group

Headquarters: Norwell, Mass.
Number of Employees: 150
Website: www.radiusgrp.com

"As we celebrate over 23 years of making mortgages better we look forward to improving access to home financing for all homebuyers by embracing cutting-edge technology that maximizes efficiency, convenience and speed, while never sacrificing the personal touch that embodies our values and delivers on our mantra of: Better has no finish line!" a company statement said.

Intercap Lending's 2022 graduation class of its Emerging Leaders program.

Intercap Lending

Headquarters: Draper, Utah
Number of employees: 378
Website:

www.intercaplending.com

Intercap is a Ginnie Mae issuer and a direct lender for government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, according to its website. It works with a network of lenders and investors to offer both traditional mortgages and more specialized products, like those used to fund renovations through the Federal Housing Administration's 203k program.

The company's product list also includes reverse mortgages, which are specialty loans aimed at helping seniors withdraw equity from their homes while continuing to live in them, so long as the borrowers can maintain the property and cover associated costs like taxes and insurance. In addition, private loans like jumbo mortgages that are sized above Fannie and Freddie's limits, and financing borrowers qualify based on bank statements are on Intercap's product menu.

Astar Home Capital

Headquarters: Monroe, New York
Number of employees: 90
Website:

www.astarhomecapital.com

The Westchester, New York-based mortgage broker founded in 2017 touts a comprehensive profile of loans including interest-only loans and home equity line of credit products. AStar has a large presence around the New York City area but also counts offices in Florida, Texas and Los Angeles, and is licensed to operate in 14 states nationwide. AStar is developing its benefits offerings and gives employees 25 paid holidays, the most among companies ranked. Other perks include trips, company gatherings and bonuses for its top producers.

Direct Mortgage Loans staffers take part in DML Hunger Project Community Service Day.

Direct Mortgage Loans

Headquarters: Hunt Valley, Maryland
Number of Employees: 138
Website: www.directmortgageloans.com

A retail lender that has funded more than 15,000 loans since its founding in 2007, Direct Mortgage Loans offers an array of home finance products, including a mortgage specifically for law enforcement officers. Direct Mortgage Loans serves as the lender partner of the Fraternal Order of Police.

The company presents monthly recognition meetings to honor staff and hosts DML Fest, a three-day event in Maryland for employees. During the event, the company presents training sessions, offers community service opportunities and organizes activities, which allow employees to meet each other.

Peoples Mortgage Company

Headquarters: Tempe, Arizona
Number of employees: 334
Website:

www.peoplesmortgage.com

Tempe, Arizona-based Peoples Mortgage Company is "all about the people." As such, the lender prioritizes employee involvement in their respective communities. The company offers two paid hours every month for employees to get out into their communities and volunteer, according to Stan Morris, the founder and CEO of the company.

"So we offer 24 hours in a year to get out and serve your community, which I think speaks very loudly about the culture here at Peoples Mortgage," he said.

The lender was created in 1998 and is currently licensed in 39 states. The mortgage company, which has assets close to $1 billion, "strives to make the lending process simple and straightforward" and offers conventional and government loan products to borrowers, Morris added.

Members of the Assurance Financial team on a group outing.

Assurance Financial

Headquarters: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Number of Employees: 230
Website: www.assurancemortgage.com

National lender and servicer Assurance Financial offers a full suite of retail products, including non-QM and home equity loans. The company schedules four meetings a year where members of its production team can gather and compare notes.

"We do that to promote and strengthen relationships with people that don't work in the same markets, but also, it gives everybody an opportunity to collaborate together and learn from each other," said CEO and President Kenny Hodges.

On the fulfillment side of the business, Assurance Financial has programs to regularly recognize top processors and underwriters and staff who have worked at the company for 10 years have the opportunity to attend its incentive trip held in the first quarter every year.

Southern Trust Mortgage

Headquarters: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Number of employees: 250
Website:

www.southerntrust.com

The company, which primarily lends in the region between Maryland and Florida, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Southern Trust offers a range of products including government-insured loans along with construction, investor and jumbo loans. The company's midsized status allows individuals to feel confident they're making an impact, a feeling that can't be replicated at larger firms, a company representative said. As the market soured last year, Southern Trust made a lot of sacrifices to keep workers employed, and has even grown its sales force.

"There's a very open line of communication to keep not only positivity flowing, but also our vision for the future," said Jarrett Stanley, chief marketing officer at Southern Trust.

Thanks to Certainty's Community Connection program, which allows LOs to give back, Daniel and Amy Schneider in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. donated $11,000 in 2022 to the Children's Hospital / Kick for a Cure.

Stephanie Parry

Certainty Home Lending

Headquarters: Plano, Texas
Number of employees: 239
Website:

www.certaintyhomelending.com

The midsized lender is entering its 23rd year of business and counts offices across 11 states, mostly in the Sun Belt. Certainty, a Guaranteed Rate company, touts a larger portfolio of products from construction, conventional, jumbo, reverse and renovation loans, and introduced a home equity line of credit product this year. The firm celebrates its top performers with its annual President's Club and innovator recognitions, and offers a Community Connection program, in which the firm donates funds in the name of a borrower to the homeowner's charity of choice once a loan closes.

Directions Home Loan team members gather for the company's Mastermind event.

Directions Home Loan

Headquarters: San Antonio, Texas
Employees: 87
Website:

www.directionshomeloan.com

Directions was born in 2007, grew out of the Great Financial Crisis and today does about 90% of its lending in Texas, said CEO Easton Crafts. Conventional and government-insured products make up approximately 98% of the firm's volume, and it's picking up the pace in its construction lending. The firm introduced an inclusive bonus program just before the pandemic which has boosted employee engagement, Crafts said, and gathers branches for an annual meeting to begin the year. Directions works to make its workers comfortable, and the piece of mind between departments eliminates any concerns in workflow.

"Having a well oiled machine is something that we take pride in," said Crafts.

Axia team members take part in Band T-Shirt Day during President's Club Spirit Week.

Axia Home Loans

Headquarters: Bellevue, Washington
Number of Employees: 350
Website: www.axiahomeloans.com

Axia Home Loans, a national lender and servicer with branches in 15 states, has a social peer-to-peer recognition site, allowing staff to nominate each other for a job well done as well as earn points leading to rewards.

The company has also been employee-owned since 2016, meaning Axia team members share in the business' profits. "Conceivably, if you spent your career here and the company continues to grow, it's a substantial financial benefit to you," said CEO Alex Rosenblum. "And this is all in addition to your 401K."

American Mortgage Network

Headquarters: Chula Vista, California
Number of Employees: 80
Website:

www.amnetmtg.com

American Mortgage Network, AmNet for short, was founded in 2019 and is 100% employee-owned. The company currently lends in 30 states, focusing on conventional loans, Federal Housing Administration and Veterans Affairs offerings as well as jumbo loans.

"While many mortgage banks are laying off or closing, we look at this as an opportunity to strengthen our team and add talented mortgage professionals. It has also broadened our geographic reach with mortgage professionals doing business in the Midwest, Florida and Texas," a company statement said.

Method Mortgage Team come together for Serve Day at First Light Women's Shelter.

Method Mortgage

Headquarters: Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Number of Employees: 19
Website: www.methodmortgage.com

Method Mortgage is a regional retail lender licensed in four Southeastern states, with one branch in Alabama. Its small size contributes to a cooperative atmosphere at the company, according to Roger Steur, a founding partner. "We don't have silos. We try to encourage people never to say that's not my job. Everyone kind of helps each other," he said.

During a slow lending cycle, the company is trying to support and "empower" staff to explore different aspects of the mortgage business when they express interest to grow both personally and professionally beyond their job descriptions.

"If they see a process we've got in place that they think could be better if we did X, Y, or Z — while we're slower, we're allowing them to voice that and take ownership of different parts and pieces of the mortgage process," Steur said.

Both employee and company stand to gain. A current back office employee is now close to become a licensed loan officer, Steur said.

Acopia

Headquarters: Goodlettsville, Tennessee
Number of Employees: 233
Website: www.acopiahomeloans.com

Founded in 2007, retail lender Acopia is licensed in 17 states nationwide and has 29 branch offices located in the Southeast. The company's leadership is proud of the long tenure of many of its staff, which contributes to a supportive work environment and high level of satisfaction among staff. And it all begins at the top.

Eight members of Acopia's senior leadership have been with the company for at least 12 years, according to President Joey Davidson. "When you see that leadership stays there and the employees stay there, that's a good indication that the culture is intact, and you're doing things the right way," he said.

Mortgage Center

Headquarters: Southfield, Mich.
Number of employees: 233
Website:

www.mortgagecenter.com

This credit union service organization recently named Chief Operating Officer Joshua Thompson as its new president and CEO, following Ken Martin's decision to retire from the post on Feb. 1. Mortgage Center focuses on purchase, refinance, and home equity loans. The company also originates and services construction, condominium, manufactured home and renovation loans. Other products include conventional, jumbo, government-backed and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages. The company primarily grows its management team from within, and aims to also give individual contributors opportunities to continually grow their skills.

"Through the ups and downs of the past year, Mortgage Center has grown stronger together, connecting the right people in the right roles, communicating frequently and with transparency throughout the organization, and working together to grow the credit union community," the company said in a statement.

Civic Financial Services team members prepare for the company's annual backpack drive. They donated 3,236 items, which they directly gave to over 80 students from pre-K to 12th grade, helping 59 families.

Civic Financial Services

Headquarters: Redondo Beach, California
Number of Employees: 506
Website:

www.civicfs.com

In January, Civic's parent company, PacWest Bancorp undertook a restructuring of its organization, including integrating Civic into its operational structure. William Tessar, who remained as president after PacWest bought Civic in February 2021, left the company as a result. On Feb. 21, PacWest announced it was laying off 200 workers at Civic and reducing its product menu.

Civic specialized in lending on non-owner-occupied properties prior to the announcement.

"We run a 'Parents Corner' on our social channels where close to 100 moms and dads regularly connect to share advice, ideas and pictures of their kids. We also use it to promote Civic activities and events where children can participate/attend," its Best Companies entry, submitted before the corporate restructuring, said.

Mattamy Home Funding staffers show off their spirit.

Mattamy Home Funding

Headquarters: Maitland, Florida
Number of employees: 86
Website:

www.mattamyhf.com

The joint venture lender and servicer of a homebuilder, Mattamy was formed in 2008 and does the majority of its loans in Florida, followed by Arizona, North Carolina and Texas. Mattamy is a "customer service company that does mortgages," president Estelle Norvell said about its approach to borrowers. Internally, the firm promotes transparency with easy access to leadership and period discussions about its business strategies and the market at-large. Norvell said staff feel better about the company's open communication, whether it's been good or bad news.

"I always find that people stay working for a place they feel comfortable," she said. "They feel as though they are a value add, that they're providing something right, and that they can trust you."

Atlantic Bay employees pose at the 5th Annual Golf Fore Gratitude charity tournament.

Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group

Headquarters: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Number of employees: 951
Website:

www.atlanticbay.com

Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group was founded in 1996 by brothers, Brian Holland and Stan Holland. What at the time was a quaint local lender has since grown into a company valued at over $3.8 billion. The Virginia Beach-based company is licensed in close to two dozen states and Washington D.C., and offers conventional, jumbo and government mortgage products to prospective borrowers.

Atlantic Bay emphasizes the importance of camaraderie in its workplace and offers employees paid sabbaticals, as well as mental health coaches to help facilitate a healthy workplace. The lender also hosts an annual costume contest where it was recently discovered that they have an "Elvis reincarnated working in their Ops team."

"Our people make us one of the best places to work," said a company representative.

Shamrock Home Loans folks having some fun at the 2022 Annual Shammy Awards.

Shamrock Home Loans

Headquarters: Rumford, Rhode Island
Number of employees in 2023: 104
Website:

www.shamrockhomeloans.com

The resilient company was founded in 1989 and is a purchase-heavy lender, even through the recent refinance boom, founder and CEO Dean Harrington said. The firm operates in 22 Eastern states and does a lot of government-insured loan lending. Shamrock today is growing its staff and market share, Harrington said, following a big executive hire after some early-year turmoil. Harrington is transparent with staff about the lender's financial performance, part of management's mission to stem fear. Shamrock's culture has been a boon for its new and veteran workers, who cited in a recent survey that their time with Shamrock has helped grow their personal confidence.

"What makes it a good place to work is giving people a challenging set of duties, but a safe place to make mistakes," said Harrington. "They'll be more bold and try different things, taking on bigger challenges and their confidence level just skyrockets."

Brad Finkelstein

Originations Editor, National Mortgage News

Bonnie Sinnock

Capital Markets Editor, National Mortgage News

Spencer Lee

Reporter, National Mortgage News

Andrew Martinez

Reporter, National Mortgage News

Maria Volkova

Technology Reporter, National Mortgage News

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Heidi Patalano

Editor-in-Chief, National Mortgage News

NMN best companies 2023