Career moves

When adjusted for filings from companies in the past year, nonbank employment in the industry was even lower than initial estimates suggested.

After Greg Tornquist's retirement, he shared the job with Rob Lux, who is staying onboard as the subservicer's COO.

Also, Finance of America, SimpleNexus alums find new homes, and Supreme Lending lands leading mortgage technology expert.

He replaces Phyllis Caldwell, the former Treasury official who took the position in February 2016 and helped guide the company through the 2017 federal and state lawsuits.

Marianne Sullivan will be charged with overseeing the start of the second phase in a multi-year plan to develop cloud native technology at the servicing software company.

However, the jobs picture for December was better than what was expected, the Bureau of Labor Statistics data found.

Also, Rice Park ups venture capital funding team, Planet Home opens branches in mid-Atlantic and Union Home names Texas regional manager.

Jan Davis has been named acting president of the technology standards organization as the Mortgage Bankers Association conducts a search for a permanent replacement.

While mass firings abound, the employment situation is not moribund for those with certain skills sets in demand.

Also, LoanLogics sees changes at the top, the Mortgage Bankers Association promotes three and Synergy One, Falcon Capital name general counsels.

The new recruits mainly cover the East Coast.

The 60-person group, headed by Marc Wadman, originates loans in Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina and Texas.

Kristy Fercho, who's run the bank's home lending division since August 2020, will report directly to CEO Charlie Scharf and sit on the operating committee. Last year, she became the first Black person to chair the Mortgage Bankers Association, and she took the top spot in American Banker's Most Powerful Women to Watch this year.

About half of the Texas-based lenders' offices are transitioning to American Pacific Mortgage, according to a source.

Also, FHFA promotes two key staff members, Cenlar welcomes servicing veteran, while Remax and CMG Financial's joint venture names its president.

CFO Julie Booth and General Counsel Angelo Vitale will remain with the Detroit-based company in advisory roles.

The post had been vacant on a full-time basis following Ryan Zanin's departure in May.

Also, SWBC lands two new chief officers, Angel Oak ups its correspondent business team and Movement Mortgage taps industry vets for newly created roles.

Also, Click n' Close, LendArch, First Community name chief officers, Evergreen promotes long-time leader to president and LenderClose grows its marketing team.

Emerging mortgage bankers can achieve a competitive advantage against big-box lenders by prioritizing a digital-forward mortgage business, writes the CEO of Click N' Close.