Walter Investment Management Corp., the Tampa, Fla.-based parent of Reverse Mortgage Solutions, has agreed to purchase Security One Lending in a $31 million deal. Walter will pay $20 million in cash when the deal closes, plus up to an $11 million in earn out payments if Security One meets certain targets over the following 12 months.
According to consulting firm Reverse Mortgage Insight, Security One is the fourth largest originator of the product for 2012 (third largest active lender as No. 1 originator MetLife is
Security One originated nearly 5,000 reverse mortgage loans with an aggregate unpaid principal balance of over $700 million in 2012.
RMS, headquartered in Spring, Texas, said it has a long-standing relationship with Security One, which uses its technology and sold it more than 60% of its 2012 production.
Walter’s chairman and CEO Mark O’Brien said, “This addition is a key step in achieving our previously stated goal to increase the retail mix of RMS's originations business. Security One has developed a robust retail and wholesale origination presence in the reverse mortgage market, with 20 branches and nearly 400 loan officers in the field, which we believe provides an attractive complement to the already strong correspondent origination program at RMS. This acquisition creates a combined platform with diverse, established originations channels without significant overlap.”
He added Walter believes the reverse mortgage product has very attractive long-term growth prospects. Prior to the acquisition being announced O’Brien told National Mortgage News that his company supports the
Security One is currently owned by its management, independent investors and funds managed by Jacobs Asset Management. It is headquartered in San Diego.
In November, the American Bankers Association picked Security One to
