Without question, the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) has been one of the most important drivers in the exponential growth of the wholesale lending channel over the course of the last 18 months since it launched. The trade membership association’s exclusive support of independent mortgage brokers has helped catapult market share held by mortgage brokers to what is now approaching 20%. At the same time, retail originators and bankers are transitioning in growing numbers to the wholesale channel, also supported by AIME, and further propelling growth in the channel.
In addition to continuing its work to further expand the wholesale channel, AIME is also committed to protecting and nurturing the businesses of its members who are primarily entrepreneurs working tirelessly in their communities to help people afford homeownership. With numerous events hosted in cities across the country, as well as training, compliance and lobbying initiatives, AIME is providing essential support to the independent community – and its members are united in support of each other.
AIME membership is over 40,000 strong and this two-part series will highlight the successes that several of the fastest-growing brokerages in the country have achieved over the past year.
With such a vast landscape of successful independent brokerages, the businesses featured on this list reflect factors as reported to AIME, including year-over-year growth, production volume, overall units closed, increased purchase over refinance volume and team member expansion.
AIME wants to congratulate each of these brokerages for the incredible year they have had and looks forward to working hard in 2020 and beyond to ensure their continued success — and that of their entire membership — for the years to come.
United Wholesale Lending
United Wholesale Lending (NMLS:
253083) is a premier residential purchase and refinance lender located in
Sacramento CA. Their sole focus at United Lending is finding the right loan for
clients based on their financial situation. They have developed a strong
reputation with some of the largest banks and lending institutions in the
industry. This allows their highly qualified mortgage brokers to review any specific situation and place consumers in
a loan that works for them.
“While other companies hire for profit; we hire for culture. Our people are our greatest asset and we focus on having the best work environment. By setting major goals and having a clear vision, we were able to double our production in 2019. Everyone on our team is self critical and doesn’t get comfortable with our success. We are always looking to get better and grow while maintaining the highest level of customer service. Having the support of an organization like AIME has been a game changer. There is a lot of positive energy that has lacked in the Broker community. Knowing that their intention is to support Brokers and do everything in their power to help us grow is amazing. Brokers are now networking and Uniting as one across the county. AIME has helped Brokers share ideas, vision and tools. We no longer look at each other like competition, but rather as a huge Broker Family. A mortgage broker is the best place for a consumer to get a loan and the momentum that AIME has started is like a moving freight train.” – Peter Galvez, Broker and Co-Owner of United Wholesale Lending
Comparing production through 2018 with production through August 2019
- 2018: $300,404,280
- 2019: $378,580,915
Comparing loan counts through August 2018 with counts through August 2019
- 2018: 870
- 2019: 1037
What percentage of your volume in 2018 was refinance vs purchase?
- Purchase: 62.5%
- Refinance: 24.5%
What percentage of your volume is refinance vs purchase through August 2019?
- Purchase: 51.8%
- Refinance: 51.9%
How many loan originators did you have as of the end of 2018 vs through August 2019?
- 2018: 30
- 2019: 43
C2 Financial Corporation (NMLS 135622) is a mortgage brokerage based out of San Diego, CA. Founded in 2009 by management with combined industry experience of over 70 years, the company boasts over 400 originators and is licensed in 10 states.
The company has over 100 wholesale lender relationships, giving its clients access to virtually every possible loan program. Due to its size, the company receives preferred pricing and service from its wholesale lending partners resulting in superior pricing and experience for its clients.
“Prior to the existence of AIME, in a typical month C2 would add (on average) about 10 new originators. After AIME really caught fire and built significant momentum, C2 began to grow at a much more rapid pace. We began to see exponential growth, bringing in some months, 40 new originators. While we believe C2 has an amazing platform for the independent originator, which has always helped us attract top talent, there is little doubt that the AIME movement has helped bolster our growth. AIME created a ‘rising tide’ in the broker channel which helped to lift all boats and we are more than proud to be a part of this successful journey.” – Brian Kent, General Manager C2 Financial Corporation
Comparing production through 2018 with production through August 2019
- 2018: $1,405,997,337
- 2019: $2,999,344,856
Comparing loan counts through August 2018 with counts through August 2019
- 2018: 3,453 units
- 2019: 6,937 units
What percentage of your volume in 2018 was refinance vs purchase?
- Purchase: 57%
- Refinance: 43%
What percentage of your volume is refinance vs purchase through August 2019?
- Purchase: 47%
- Refinance: 53%
How many loan originators did you have as of the end of 2018 vs through August 2019?
- 2018: 500
- 2019: 700
Answer Home Loans, Inc (NMLS:1729528) was established in 2017 by Rich Hanlin, who brings 26 years of experience owning and operating mortgage companies. Daniel Maybaum was brought in shortly thereafter as a Managing Partner and CFO. Daniel brings over 15 years of experience to the company. Together they work daily to make AHL the premier mortgage broker in the Sacramento area.
At AHL, they believe in the value of someone’s word and the strength of a handshake and strive to conduct business daily with those values foremost in mind.
“AIME has created a defacto unionizing of brokers nationwide and that community and the accompanying energy is infectious. The support AIME is working to provide from compliance, to world class software and even recruiting will prove to be game changing for those of us in the broker community and I look forward to working closely with the entire AIME group in the coming year.” – Daniel Maybaum, CFO/Senior Mortgage Consultant at Answer Home Loans.
Comparing production through 2018 with production through August 2019
- 2018: $265 Million
- 2019: $530 Million
Comparing loan counts through August 2018 with counts through August 2019
- 2018: 766 units
- 2019: 1,499 units
What percentage of your volume in 2018 was refinance vs purchase?
- Refinance: 30%
- Purchase: 70%
What percentage of your volume is refinance vs purchase through August 2019?
- Refinance: 44%
- Purchase: 56%
How many loan originators did you have as of the end of 2018 vs through August 2019?
- 2018: 35
- 2019: 65
NEXA Mortgage (NMLS: 1660690) was created by Loan Officers for Loan Officers. That’s because Loan Officers know what is best for their Customers. At NEXA, a Loan Officer gets to make the decision at the ground level so the Customer always gets the best service and product available. With a vision to make sure the Loan Officers in the Industry get their fair cut in the business and all decision making that goes with it.
At NEXA Mortgage, Loan Officers make the decisions and control the company. Producers know what they need for their clients a lot more than a far away Executive that has not produced a loan personally in years.
“NEXA Mortgage has gone through great strides to create the best platform for Loan Officers there can possibly be and that platform is a mortgage broker. With a true industry partner like AIME getting the message out, we have been able to grow exponentially while giving Loan Officers in the retail sector the opportunity to realize the benefits within the broker model. Without AIME having been involved, the broker channel would not be where it is today. It’s been very exciting to be a part of this broker transition for so many, and we really look forward to the continued industry partnership with AIME and our company growth into the future.” – Mike Kortas, Owner/Co-founder of NEXA Mortgage
Comparing production through 2018 with production through August 2019
- 2018: $81,558,045
- 2019: $415,238,484
Comparing loan counts through August 2018 with counts through August 2019
- 2018: 334 units
- 2019: 1,485 units
What percentage of your volume in 2018 was refinance vs purchase?
- Purchase: 85%
- Refinance: 15%
What percentage of your volume is refinance vs purchase through August 2019?
- Purchase: 54%
- Refinance: 46%
How many loan originators did you have as of the end of 2018 vs through August 2019?
- 2018: 42
- 2019: 272
Edge Home Finance Corporation (NMLS: 891464) is a mortgage broker based out of Minneapolis, MN and is currently licensed in seven states and in the process of expanding to nine. Established in 2012, Edge has experienced consistent growth with a platform that is beneficial for the entrepreneurial minded, self-generating mortgage loan originator. Edge has developed great partnerships with top wholesale lenders to achieve preferred pricing and key account status which allows its employees the ability to provide excellent service to consumers.
“AIME has helped our growth in the past year by creating awareness in the industry about the quality and viability of the wholesale channel and the benefits of working with true partners. Our business model has always attracted quality Originators, but partnering with AIME has made a big difference. AIME and our lending partners have helped us expand our strategies in terms of recruiting, technology, compliance and much more. We are excited about our future growth and continuing to build a special company made up of great people committed to best serving consumers. ” – Chantel Hacker, President/Broker Edge Home Finance Corporation
Comparing production through 2018 with through August 2019
- 2018: $336,000,000
- 2019: $531,000,000
Comparing loan counts through August of 2018 with 2019 through August
- 2018: 1258 units
- 2019: 1,777 units
What percentage of your volume in 2018 was refinance vs purchase?
- Purchase: 84%
- Refinance: 16%
What percentage of your volume is refinance vs purchase through August 2019?
- Purchase: 78%
- Refinance: 22%
How many loan originators did you have as of the end of 2018 vs through August 2019?
- 2018: 90
- 2019: 129
