GIVING BACK
Plaza Home Mortgage donates $41,000 to breast cancer research
Plaza Home Mortgage donated $41,000 to Susan G. Komen San Diego as part of its seventh annual donation program to support the charity.
In recognition of the company’s efforts, Komen San Diego awarded Plaza with its Laura Farmer Sherman Award, which recognizes San Diego’s strongest advocates, innovative partners and committed volunteers.
To date, Plaza has raised more than $500,000 for Komen San Diego. This year’s donation will be designated to women and their families who need financial assistance covering living expenses, like rent or a mortgage, food, prescriptions and more while they are going through treatment.
“It is an honor to partner with Komen San Diego for the seventh year and help it make strides in the fight against breast cancer, one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers,” said Michael Fontaine, Plaza chief operating officer and chief financial officer. “Breast cancer has impacted the lives of so many of us, so we are extremely proud to be one of Komen San Diego’s largest corporate contributors.”
Fifth Third employees provide 1 million meals to fight hunger
The more then 18,000 employees who work at Fifth Third Bancorp worked to provide one million meals to the hungry across the bank’s 10-state footprint. The month-long food drive included donations, employee shield of recognition sales and employee volunteer efforts at area food banks, shelters and nonprofits focused on feeding the community.
“Celebrated annually on May 3, or 5/3 on the calendar, Fifth Third Day is our opportunity to celebrate both the spirit behind our company and the people behind our pin,” said Greg Carmichael, Fifth Third chairman, president and CEO. “It’s a day for us to come together to recognize each other, celebrate our customers and, above all, to serve our communities.”
BB&T donates $10 million to Washington Housing Initiative to preserve affordable workforce housing
BB&T made a $10 million social impact investment to the Washington Housing Initiative. The equity investment will be used to help provide housing for middle-income individuals and families in the Washington, D.C., area.
The Washington Housing Initiative raises capital from private and philanthropic sources to prevent displacement and preserve affordable workforce housing for people with income too high to qualify for housing subsidies, but who do not earn enough to afford homes in the Washington, D.C. area.
“Access to decent, affordable housing provides critical stability for families and significantly contributes to the long-term health and growth of any community,” said Jodie Hughes, BB&T greater Washington, D.C. regional president. “As part of our mission, to help make the communities where we work better places to live, we’re very happy to make this commitment to the Washington Housing Initiative and support affordable housing efforts for hard-working individuals and families throughout our region.”
BB&T said that in the last three years it has invested approximately $165 million in the D.C. area for affordable housing initiatives.
AWARDS
Fannie Mae wins EPA’s ENERGY STAR Award for fifth consecutive year
Fannie Mae received the 2019 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Fannie Mae multifamily received the ENERGY STAR Award for its contributions to increasing the adoption of energy-efficiency improvements in multifamily housing.
“We are proud of our leadership position in creating change in communities across the U.S. by improving the energy and water efficiency of multifamily properties through mortgage financing,” said Jeffery Hayward, Fannie Mae executive vice president and head of multifamily. “We are pleased to again receive this honor and are extremely proud of our partnership with ENERGY STAR.”
Nationwide Title Clearing wins CIO award for innovative IT use
Nationwide Title Clearing won a 2019 CIO 100 award, which recognizes organizations that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology.
“Across the business landscape, companies everywhere recognize the vital role that an innovative, value-driven approach to information technology plays in their success,” said Maryfran Johnson, IDG executive director of CIO programs. “This year’s CIO 100 winning companies are inspiring examples of how IT leadership, business collaboration and digital transformation will drive future growth.”
“NTC’s IT team is honored to be recognized for our state-of-the-art, all in one PortalLink Web application through this prestigious award,” said Tracey Tran, NTC vice president of technology. “The CIO Tech 100 award is the Super Bowl for technology companies to celebrate success in digital transformation and innovative 
technology.”
U.S. Bank named top 50 company for diversity
U.S. Bank was named to DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity List, which recognizes companies for their commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“We’re incredibly honored to be recognized for our efforts in fostering a culture that draws strength from our employees’ diverse backgrounds and perspectives,” said Ismat Aziz, U.S. Bank chief human resources officer. “We’re deeply committed to being a place where employees feel respected, valued and empowered to be their authentic selves.”
ACHIEVEMENTS
Guaranteed Rate breaks company record by funding $3.94 billion of locked loan volume in April
Guaranteed Rate funded a total lock volume of $3.94 billion in April, surpassing the company’s previous record of $3.46 billion in March.
“I am absolutely thrilled with our record-breaking April in both funding and locked volume,” said Victor Ciardelli, Guaranteed Rate founder and CEO. 
“Residential mortgage lending is a demanding business and it takes determination and grit to succeed. With each passing year, Guaranteed Rate is becoming more and more the go-to mortgage lender for consumers nationally and this trust is reflected in our record-breaking April numbers.”
First American Title and Taylor Morrison complete 500 hybrid eClosings
First American Title Insurance Company and Taylor Morrison Home Funding completed 500 hybrid eClosings using First American’s eClosing solution in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida and Texas.
“After more than 500 completed hybrid eClosings, we’re consistently seeing closing appointments reduced to an average of 20 minutes and home buyers are grateful for the ability to preview documents in advance and to have a shorter, more convenient signing event,” said Joe Tavarez, First American president of the homebuilder services division. “Equally important, lenders appreciate the ability to offer home buyers the convenience of a hybrid eClosing with minimal process changes and no additional fees. We expect to aggressively ramp up hybrid eClosing transaction volume in the months ahead.”
