By KIMBERLEY HAAS Rocket Pro TPO is promising to clear eligible loans in no more than 15 business days and leaders there say they are able to guarantee these closing times because of the company’s investment in technology. Kevin Randolph, Senior Vice President of Operations at Rocket Pro TPO, said they have spent billions of dollars to accelerate their creation of propriety technology. They have rolled out new programs such as PathFinder, a proprietary mortgage guideline search engine. Rocket Connect provides brokers with communication with underwriters and operational leaders directly in the broker portal. Rocket Pro TPO’s new pricing calculator can deliver brokers a pricing estimate quickly and easily, according to the company. Randolph said in an interview with The…
Kelly Singh has joined direct mortgage lender Geneva Financial as its Chief Compliance Officer, the company announced in a press release. Singh brings 17 years of risk and compliance operations experience in both large and small businesses to the company. Prior to joining Geneva, Singh served as Director of Business Risk and Controls at USAA. She has also worked for LenderLive Network as vice president of Fulfillment Operations and Conduit Services, and vice president of Compliance at Integrated Asset Services, according to her LinkedIn. “We are honored to welcome Kelly Singh to Geneva,” said Telle VanTrojen, COO and Partner of Geneva Financial. “She will provide invaluable guidance as we continue to experience unprecedented growth. The level of experience and professionalism…
Jason Crawford has been appointed Chief Innovation Officer of Corcoran Global Living. Crawford started at the company in 2020 as Vice President of Product Innovation. In his new role, Crawford is responsible for identifying opportunities, strategies, and technologies for innovation at Corcoran, a rapidly growing real estate firm. “I embrace business practices that produce results – not just hype. My belief is that the practical application of business systems with measurable results will thrust any business toward success,” Crawford said in a statement. “Corcoran Global Living’s culture of investing in people and giving back to the communities we serve is a winning combination. Together we will make a difference.” Crawford graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a B.S. in Applied…
Lisa Heitzmann has been appointed Chief Operating Officer at non-QM lender Deephaven Mortgage, the company announced in a press release. “I am excited to align Deephaven’s operations to support our positive, pro-borrower culture—where everyone is always looking to say yes. It’s a pleasure to build on this approach, while making it easier for our people and partners to help creditworthy Non-QM borrowers,” said Heitzmann. In this role, Heitzmann will oversee Deephaven’s internal underwriting, wholesale, and correspondent teams. Heitzmann’s background includes credit, risk, compliance, quality, and production. Prior to Deephaven she was a mortgage industry consultant specializing in process assessment and optimization. Her previous positions include Senior Vice President, Home Loans Quality and Operations at Bank of America, and Director, Mortgage…
JPMorgan Chase exec Cerita Battles has been appointed chair of The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals’ (NAHREP) 2022 Corporate Board of Governors. The organization made the announcement in a press release issued on March 14. “We are blessed to have Cerita join the NAHREP Corporate Board of Governors. Cerita’s many years of respected leadership and successes in expanding homeownership and generational wealth will steward the NAHREP legacy for a new generation,” said 2021 NAHREP President Sara Rodriguez. Battles will co-chair the board with Rodriguez. She brings with her 30 years of finance industry experience, of which 23 years were specifically dedicated to mortgages. She currently serves as Managing Director, Head of Community & Affordable Lending, at JPMorgan Chase.…
The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) is teaming up with lobbying firm Forbes Tate Partners (FTP) to further broker representation in government affairs. The partnership is a step forward for AIME’s Government Affairs Committee, founded in 2021. “The broker community is thrilled that Forbes Tate will represent our interests in government affairs,” said Katie Sweeney, CEO of AIME. “The strategies they’re advancing will effectively suit our needs by growing our footprint, increasing our impact, and building our reputation exponentially. Additionally, they will help us fight for a voice for the broker channel and champion consumers from all backgrounds.” FTP is a bipartisan public affairs firm specializing in government relations, traditional and digital communications, grassroots advocacy, third-party coordination, insights, polling,…
By DARIA BACHMANN “As a broker, I believe in choice. A broker is supposed to shop around, look for what’s best for the consumer. I don’t want people to coerce me, I try to have freedom as a broker.” That’s the view of Thuan Nguyen, CEO of Loan Factory, who talked to The Mortgage Note about the impact on his company and customers from United Wholesale Mortgage’s anti-competition ultimatum one year ago. UWM’s controversial CEO Mat Ishbia told brokers like the Loan Factory they had to stop working with Rocket Mortgage and Fairway Independent Mortgage if they wanted to keep offering loans from his company. In recent weeks, Ishbia proved his threats were more than mere bullying. He’s taking legal…
C. Renee Wilson has been named executive director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), NAREB announced. Wilson has served as interim executive director for the last seven months, before which she served as special assistant to the president, special projects manager, executive and management consultant, and national relationship manager. She has been a NAREB member since 2005. “NAREB is fortunate to have someone with Renee’s qualifications as our Executive Director,” said NAREB President Lydia M. Pope. “Her long-standing relationship with NAREB and wealth of on-the-job experience makes her uniquely qualified to fill this vitally important position.” Wilson plays a critical role in compiling NAREB’s annual “State of Housing in Black America” report, a study documenting root causes…
By DARIA BACHMANN United Wholesale Mortgage is facing more public scrutiny as court battles — and backlash from brokers — mount. The second-largest mortgage lender in the nation, UWM has come under criticism over how it treats both its employees and its customers. UWM announced in April it would force brokers to sign an agreement that they will not work with Rocket Mortgage or Fairway Independent Mortgage – or else be banned from work with UWM, the largest wholesale mortgage lender. Mortgage industry leaders called the ban “unethical and uncompetitive.” Bob Broeksmit, head of the Mortgage Bankers Association, said at the time, “MBA does not condone activities designed to thwart competition in the mortgage market and limit loan options available to borrowers.” UWM,…
Kevin G. Chavers and Luke S. Hayden have been elected to Freddie Mac’s Board of Directors, the GSE announced in a press release. Their appointments begin effective February 15, 2022. Chavers will serve on the GSE’s Audit Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. He has held positions in the U.S. government before, including serving as president of Ginnie Mae from 1995 to 1998. He retired from BlackRock’s Global Fixed Income Investment Team in 2021 after 10 years. During that time, he also worked with Global Public Policy Group as managing director and as managing director for BlackRock’s Financial Markets Advisory Group. Before joining BlackRock, Chavers worked with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. “Mr. Chavers brings additional mortgage finance, capital markets…
