Best Mortgage Companies to Work For 2024

By Brad Finkelstein, Bonnie Sinnock, Andrew Martinez, Spencer Lee, Maria Volkova, Heidi Patalano

March 4, 2024 5:50 AM

While in service industries like mortgage lending a lot of attention is paid to providing a strong customer experience, many of this year's Best Mortgage Companies to Work For put an emphasis on employee engagement.

That is important especially after issues around profitability and capacity resulted in massive consolidation during 2023 and to this day.

Those conditions contributed to just 33 companies appearing on this year's listing, as opposed to 48 for 2023.

This ranking is a partnership between National Mortgage News and the Best Companies Group, which conducts extensive employee surveys and reviews employer reports on benefits and policies. The employee survey covers eight topics: leadership and planning; corporate culture and communications; role satisfaction; work environment; relationship with supervisor; training, development and resources; pay and benefits; and overall engagement.

Once the survey data is analyzed, the companies get a score that decides their ranking. The overall score is calculated using the employee survey (weighed at 75%) and the employer questionnaire (25%). To qualify for consideration, organizations with 25 or more employees need a minimum response rate of 40% while companies with 25 or fewer employees need 80%.

The survey addressed several topics, including overall engagement the staff had with the management of the companies that employed them. The positive response rate to the statement, "I am willing to give extra effort to help this organization succeed" was 97% for lenders of all sizes that made the list.

But that was down from 98% in 2023.

The overall engagement score of 93% was a 3 percentage point decline from the prior year. Yet in speaking with several companies on the list, as well as reviewing some survey responses from the lenders themselves, engagement is what helped them to power through what many consider to be an all-time bad year for home lending.

Mortgage America Inc. staff at an employee appreciation picnic

Mortgage America

Headquarters: Whitehall, Pennsylvania
Number of employees: 69
Website:

mymortgageamerica.com

Mortgage America is located in an area that President Bob Barrett describes as akin to the fictional small town of Mayberry, with many employees staying on until retirement but some positions opening up over time.

"We try not to overhire, so we don't have to lay off," said Angela Hawley, vice president and processing manager.

Compensation is designed to be locally competitive with the healthcare-dominated employment opportunities in the region.

The company operates as a mortgage bank, selectively retains servicing, and puts a priority on fast closing times and training that produces that result.

"It has to be right, and it has to be on time," Barrett said.

Mortgage America also provides financial support to community colleges in the area.

"A good community college is worth its weight in gold," he said.

Events the company hosts for employees include company picnics with food and ice cream trucks. Top processors and closer can win recognition and monetary prizes. The company incentivizes loan officers by offering them the chance to compete for a trip they can take with a spouse if they choose.

Spring EQ

Headquarters: Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
Number of employees: 366
Website: mortgage.springeq.com

Besides great benefits, Spring EQ offers its employees a hybrid work structure, "and a set of values we all live by. All said, it's our culture that sets Spring EQ apart," the company said in a statement.

"The last few years have been unlike anything the mortgage industry has ever seen. And while our product range allowed our teams to have a greater sense of security through uncertain times, Spring EQ has also listened closely to our team members," adding it has been flexible in responding to their feedback.

"We have a saying: 'Work Hard, Have Fun, Get Things Done.' And that's a good summary of our approach."

The Loan Store

Headquarters: Tucson, Arizona
Number of employees: 154
Website:

theloanstore.com

The 11-year-old company last spring purchased Home Point's wholesale business and is helmed by Home Point's former president of originations, Phil Shoemaker. The Loan Store offers a traditional suite of loan products, home equity line of credit loans and investor financing. The Arizona firm lends in all but a few states nationwide, and last fall introduced a consumer rewards program which can save buyers up to 40 basis points on a first-lien loan.

Premier Nationwide Lending

Headquarters: Plano, Texas
Number of employees: 151

Premier Nationwide Lending has shuttered: Lower acquires shuttered Premier Nationwide Lending's branches

Beth Eller, Truliant's senior vice president of mortgage services, is one of only three approved eClosing instructors in the state of North Carolina. Truliant's mortgage team holds ongoing eClosing classes throughout the year.

Truliant Federal Credit Union

Headquarters: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Number of employees: 42
Website:

truliantfcu.org

"Truliant has a variety of opportunities for growth and development, and is committed to helping employees achieve their goals," the credit union's management said in its survey response.

"Truliant's strong organizational culture helps it build greater trust with members and employees. It drives a commitment to serving the underserved, giving back and service to communities, promoting financial education, implementing green practices and supporting economic development."

Branch Managers from all over the U.S. gather at Embrace's Headquarters in Middletown, RI to strategize and socialize

KIM FULLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Embrace Home Loans

Headquarters: Middletown, Rhode Island
Number of employees: 469
Website:

www.embracehomeloans.com

Embrace Home Loans, founded in 1983, is a full-service mortgage lender, licensed to operate in all 50 states, plus Washington D.C.

The core tenants of the organization are "community, courage, empowerment and love," all of which drive how the company does business. These values also transfer to how the company treats its employees. According to the company spokeswoman, the mortgage lender fosters a "supportive, family-like work culture and encourages its employees charitable endeavors."

"Every year, to celebrate Embrace's anniversary, employees spend a week volunteering at nonprofit organizations across the country in a tradition known as 'orange week,'" the spokeswoman said.

FBC employees gather at a company event.

FBC Mortgage

Headquarters: Orlando, Florida
Number of employees: 713
Website:

fbchomeloans.com

FBC Mortgage is led by CEO Joe Nunziata, a veteran of the business who has taken an active role in both the industry and his community. Nunziata has served on both the Mortgage Bankers Association's legislative committee and the board of adjustment for Longwood, Florida and taken on several other civic roles over time.

FBC has been similarly active in the community as the official partner for University of Central Florida athletics and its FBC Mortgage Stadium. The company has been recognized as a top workplace by both business and local publications.

Employee events it finds popular with staff include "pets at work," basketball tournaments and a field day. Professional education available to employees includes diversity training.

"Our CEO puts a strong emphasis on culture at Team FBC. We believe that it is important for our employees to enjoy their jobs and have a strong work/life balance," the company said in a statement submitted to Best Companies.

Company owners Tim Johnson, Joe Frank, Tony Grothouse, and Dave Lukacsko honoring top performers at its 2023 Founders Club event

carlosacosta121288@gmail.com

Revolution Mortgage

Headquarters: Westerville, Ohio
Number of Employees: 594
Website: revolutionmortgage.com

Although lending operations are spread out across the country, Revolution encourages collaboration and open dialogue that helps team members learn from each other, said founder and CEO Tony Grothouse. That effort includes a branch managers' summit held every year.

"Each market has its own challenges. Each branch manager is a little bit different, so we really try to make sure our system — how we operate — is nimble and flexible to support them and what they're trying to accomplish," he said.

Revolution also offers a founders club reward for its top performers across departments, flying them to a popular destination location, so they can celebrate their accomplishments.

Mortgage Investors Group

Headquarters: Knoxville, Tennessee
Number of employees: 347
Website:

migonline.com

Mortgage Investors Group was founded in 1989 with a goal to help families in the South fulfill their dreams of homeownership.

"Our mission to provide the best financial solutions in mortgage lending is rooted in a deep trust for each client," said the company's spokeswoman. "This philosophy extends to our internal culture, where we value and support our diverse and inclusive family of employees."

The company's inception began with five colleagues in one office in Tennessee and now has blossomed to over 40 branches. MIG is licensed to operate in 10 states and has plans to further expand.

The retail lender offers an impressive range of products, ranging from conventional products, first time homebuyer programs to down payment assistance loans.

A culture of support has resulted in MIG receiving over 3,000 positive Zillow reviews,

"showcasing the exceptional experiences clients have with our loan officers and support team," the company's spokeswoman added.

Consumers Credit Union

Headquarters: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Number of employees: 88
Website:

consumerscu.org

As a credit union, Consumers is able to provide a full range of products, not just conforming and government, but balance sheet as well, said Josh Summerfield, vice president of mortgage sales.

"Building a culture is important for our employee engagement and empowering employees," he said. "It goes from compensation to benefits to programs that we run here for health and wellness."

But another part of it is having those products and services offerings for its sales staff to go out and be productive.

"It's the people, the products and process really for us are the three main focuses," Summerfield said.

Coastal Credit Union employees at a company gathering.

Coastal Credit Union

Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina
Number of employees: 63
Website:

www.coastal24.com

Coastal was founded in 1967 and named credit union veteran Tyler Grodi as the company's third-ever CEO last spring. The company offers a wide range of mortgage products including HELOC loans and counts two dozen branches scattered around the Triangle area.

In the past two years, Coastal has added electronic closings for mortgages and launched a title business. The credit union counts more than 323,000 members and regularly appears on top local and state business rankings.

VanDyk Mortgage celebrates its 35th anniversary.

VanDyk Mortgage Corporation

Headquarters: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Number of employees: 343
Website:

vandykmortgage.com

Retail lender and servicer Vandyk Mortgage, established in 1987, has 90 branch office locations in 43 states across the country. Since its inception, the shop claims to have closed over 100,000 home loans.

The company credits its growth to focusing on "great service, competitive rates and treating employees and customers with respect, integrity and care." Vandyk touts its A+ rating for the Better Business Bureau and its high tech tools to ease the mortgage process for borrowers and for staff members.

Vandyk's top performers are annually recognized and rewarded with all-inclusive weekend get-a-way's. Employees at the company are not required to go into the office.

Newfi employees Dan Bayer, Jennifer Eustice and Justin Ow with CEO Steve Abreu (second from right) at a company dinner.

Newfi Lending

Headquarters: Emeryville, California
Number of employees: 198
Website: www.newfi.com

Steve Abreu, a mortgage industry veteran, is the founder CEO of Newfi Lending, a national non-QM lender and top-five wholesaler in that market.

Newfi describes itself as a "trailblazing, technology-driven mortgage company committed to unique product development," recent examples of which include a REMIC-eligible shared equity loan.

The National Association of Mortgage Brokers designated the company its wholesale service partner of the year in 2023. The company looks to actively recruit bilingual and multicultural employees and offers benefits like "early release" on certain Fridays and pet insurance. Newfi also accommodates military leave and time-off for spouses of servicemembers.

ICE Mortgage Technology featuring Lennar Mortgage rings The Closing Bell®: The New York Stock Exchange welcomed ICE Mortgage Technology, featuring Lennar Mortgage, on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in celebration of national mortgage professionals month. To honor the occasion, Laura Escobar, president of Lennar Mortgage; Lynn Martin, NYSE president, (both pictured center right) ring The Closing Bell® as others look on. Photo Credit: NYSE

Courtney Crow/NYSE

Lennar Mortgage

Headquarters: Miami
Number of employees: 1,370
Website:

lennarmortgage.com

Lennar Mortgage President Laura Escobar is the 2024 chair-elect of the Mortgage Bankers Association and the company serves one of the largest builders of homes in the United States.

The home lender has an active diversity, equity and inclusion program and seeks to develop talent that will represent the communities it serves. Lennar Mortgage also has a chief medical officer it hired during the pandemic, Dr. Pascal Goldschmidt, who distributes a "health and well-being" newsletter to company associates on a weekly basis.

In addition, the company offers online courses from Harvard Business School Publishing to associates.

DML Fest Annual Party in Baltimore is the final event of a three day event that includes community service, learning and fun.

Direct Mortgage Loans

Headquarters: Hunt Valley, Maryland
Number of employees: 173
Website:

directmortgageloans.com

While at a previous company they started in the business at, Direct Mortgage Loans co-founders Michael Naylor and Ashley Mills found themselves in charge of approximately 100 loan officers within three years. They took the lessons learned from that experience to DML, which they formed in 2012.

"We figured out quickly that if we put our people's goals ahead of our own and realize that they have to be successful before we can be successful," Naylor said. "As soon as they realized that that's the spot where we were coming from, we ended up in a really good spot with the sales team and learned some really valuable lessons."

A team at Supreme Lending volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas to serve food for families and children.

Supreme Lending

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Number of employees: 1,284
Website: supremelending.com

Supreme Lending is a full service lender that has turned to technology to stay competitive in the mortgage industry.

According to a company spokeswoman, the lender offers a robust technology stack for originators to pick and choose from that best fits their business approach. Additionally, in 2023, the company launched a new artificial intelligence underwriting platform that "has greatly increased efficiencies and turn times."

The mortgage lender said it is also consistently enhancing its diverse lending products and adding innovative programs, such as the recently introduced HELOCs and the expansion of non-QM offerings and bond programs.

Supreme "loves any occasion to celebrate and enjoy time together."

"From our corporate office's all-out Halloween celebration and decorating contests to our annual holiday festivities, baseball opening day luncheon and monthly free lunches to welcome events, Supreme is dedicated to creating a fun engaging environment that people love and want to be a part of. "

Employees gather for their annual holiday party.

Developer's Mortgage Company

Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio
Number of employees: 81
Website:

www.developersmortgage.com

Developer's Mortgage Company recently became a Freddie Mac seller, adding to the lending approvals it has from Fannie Mae, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and for Department of Veterans Affairs-guaranteed originations.

It's 75% women-owned and headed by President Linda Heaston. Taylor Stork, the company's chief operating officer, also serves as the president of the Community Home Lenders of America.

The company at the time of this writing held licenses in 20 states: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

It's a place "where everyone can be comfortable enough to be themselves" and all achievements, big or small, are celebrated, according to a company statement.

The Method Mortgage team came together for Serve Day at Rise Against Hunger

Method Mortgage

Headquarters: Birmingham, Alabama
Number of Employees: 16
Website: www.methodmortgage.com

Being a smaller lender allows Method Mortgage to invest in the markets they serve and causes its employees value. In the past year, the company has boosted its support for its community referral program, a fund in which a small amount is added for each lead received, and proceeds donated to local organizations.

"We've had employees suggest charities that they want to support, and one last year it was a group called Jessie's Place that helps homeless women and children in need of medical attention," said founding partner and senior loan officer Roger Steur.

"It's fine to do loans, and that's obviously our job. But we've got a bigger, bigger purpose."

Republic State Mortgage's Team Kentucky gathered together for a year-end celebration!

Republic State Mortgage

Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Number of employees: 124
Website:

republicstatemortgage.com

Founded in 1994, the Texan lender has 25 offices spread across the 12 states they serve. The lender offers a full suite of residential loan products. "Our work changes lives, communities, and families. We serve each other, our clients, and the nation by the work we do," a company representative said. The company keeps it close-knight by hosting a monthly market update call which they say is "a great opportunity to see everybody, recognize coworkers, discuss industry changes and the market, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, and uplift each other."

UNMB team members participate in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Long Island at Jones Beach.

UNMB Home Loans

Headquarters: Levittown, NY
Number of Employees: 122
Website:

unmb.com

In the home lending business for more than 44 years, the Long Island-based UNMB Home loans is licensed in 23 states with five retail locations in the New York metropolitan area. CEO Don Giorgio has led the organization since its inception. He promotes excellence in his team by offering a monthly award recognizing administrative personnel who have gone above their job function with $50 and recognition at staff meeting and on social media. The team acknowledges sales staff for reaching significant goals at monthly meetings and awards them a badge icon, which is displayed on email signatures and social media.

Staff at InterLinc Mortgage making bicycles for children.

InterLinc Mortgage

Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Number of Employees: 221
Website:

interlincmortgage.com

The Texas-based lender, founded in 2009, serves the Sun Belt among other Midwest markets and touts niche and proprietary non-QM mortgage products among its offerings.

InterLinc made an operational profit in its origination business in 2022 and 2023, no small feat for a firm without a large servicing portfolio, said James Durham, senior vice president. The executive credits a strong company culture and discipline in making difficult decisions early in the turn of the market, as a reason for its success today.

"That's the mentality that we had as a group that we locked arms and walked through," he said. "That's what drove us through '22 and ultimately '23 and has us prepared for '24."

NAMMBA team members at the first Boston chapter meeting

Radius Financial

Headquarters: Norwell, Massachusetts
Number of Employees: 165
Website: www.radiusgrp.com

A National Association Minority Mortgage Bankers certified lender, Radius helped create the Boston chapter of the organization and strives toward diversity and inclusion, offering cultural training at the company.

Radius was founded in 1999 and seeks to foster a culture of innovation, which it says drives employee satisfaction. "The true essence of our organization shines through in our ability to adapt and evolve," Radius said in a company statement.

North Dakota Housing Finance Agency was recognized by United Way with the Spirit Award for our employee involvement through volunteerism and creative workplace campaigns.

North Dakota Housing Finance Agency

Headquarters: Bismarck, North Dakota
Number of employees: 27
Website:

ndhfa.org

Headed by Executive Director Dave Flohr, the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency is a self-supporting non-profit dedicated to facilitating affordable home ownership for low- to moderate-income state residents. In addition to that, it offers programs to support the financing of the construction and rehabilitation of multifamily properties and grants that aim to serve sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons. The mission of the organization "instills a sense of purpose and fulfillment in our team members," a company representative said.

NDHFA offers a number of benefits to its employees including fully paid family health insurance and financial incentives for participation in wellness programs. They also promote community engagement outside the office with employees volunteering at several organizations including a local soup café.

Members of Taylor Morrison Home Funding's loan consultant team at its Level Up conference.

Taylor Morrison Home Funding

Headquarters: Maitland, Florida
Number of employees: 312
Website:

www.taylormorrisonhf.com

Taylor Morrison Home Funding is an independent mortgage banker and subsidiary of a builder that's ranked among the top 10 based on closings for multiple years. President Tawn Kelley heads up the mortgage company, which has been recognized as a top workplace by both industry publications and local news outlets.

It attributes this to an employee-centric approach that includes a heavy emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in recruiting. And in a year when very few companies have said they plan to increase employee perks, Taylor Morrison Home Funding is one of the exceptions.

"By investing in our employees, they in turn take care of our customers," the company said in a statement.

The annual State of the Union event is an anticipated time for employees across the country to reconnect. Thanks to the support of our technical team, SOTU 2023 was a success!

Homeowners Financial Group

Headquarters: Scottsdale, Arizona
Number of Employees: 333
Website: homeownersfg.com

A national lender with 35 branches across the country, Homeowners will celebrate its 20th anniversary in April. The culture and the attention company management pays toward staff helps account for high levels of satisfaction and retention at the lender, said Ashlyn Pinter, director of human resources. Many employees have been with Homeowners for several years, with some executives serving for over a decade.

"We have an employee appreciation budget that each manager gets for employees," she said. "It's small things like that that, I think, make people feel appreciated," Pinter said.

Team members volunteer with Life Remodeled to remove blight from vacant properties in Detroit.

Mortgage Center

Headquarters: Southfield, Michigan
Number of Employees: 84
Website: www.mortgagecenter.com

In a questionnaire sent out to employees last year, a common theme among responses was an appreciation of the communication and outreach at Mortgage Center, said Dani Soave, assistant vice president of digital marketing.

The company offers regular feedback to staff. "It helps foster growth that helps them understand what behaviors they could be doing better — things along that line — and they love that," she said as it provides guidance on what they can do to move forward in their careers.

The communication goes both ways. A direct lender as well as a credit union service organization, Mortgage Center last year introduced a wholesale lending channel, "something that our employees have been asking for even before our partners started asking for it," Soave said.

"We genuinely want to help people grow and help our business and partners grow as well."

Highland Residential Mortgage's Miramar branch has a team outing at Painting with a Twist.

Highlands Residential Mortgage

Headquarters: Allen, Texas
Number of employees: 464
Website:

www.highlandsmortgage.com

"We are so proud of our team for all their hard work and dedication that has made HRM the best places to work," Highland's management said in its survey response. "This award is a true testament to the exceptional culture and commitment to excellence that our team brings to work every day."

Acopia employees pitch in to help with a Habitat for Humanity build.

Acopia Home Loans

Headquarters: Goodlettsville, Tennessee
Number of Employees: 201
Website: www.acopiahomeloans.com

Founded in 2007, the Tennessee-based lender believes "in the dignity of work and dignity of every person. We also promise in our mission to treat employees with respect," a company representative said.

While proud of the culture it has created, Acopia realizes success does not come from culture alone. To support its staff, the company offers extensive training and development, flexible work hours and remote work options, while paying for the majority of health care premiums. It also offers an internal platform to allow employees the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of colleagues for special occasions, shout-outs and other forms of appreciation.

AML Funding

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Number of employees: 149
Website:

AbsoluteML.com

"Our company is built on respect, fairness, and social responsibility. We are proud of our commitment to ethical and sustainable mortgage practices," AML management said in its survey response. "Our success is also thanks to our strong partnerships with community organizations, real estate professionals, and financial institutions who share our commitment to diversity and homeownership."

Atlantic Bay hosts Golf Fore Gratitude, organizing a golf outing to aid Operation Gratitude. Sending 200,000+ care packages, supporting U.S. Military, First Responders, and families worldwide.

Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group

Headquarters: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Number of employees: 803
Website:

https://www.atlanticbay.com/

Atlantic Bay Mortgage, founded in 1996, is a retail shop nestled in a beach town in Virginia. The mortgage lender's plug for its success is fast closing times, a broad and niche range of mortgage products and "commitment to the community."

Atlantic has donated more than $2 million to charities, including to Roc Solid Foundation, a Virginia-based pediatric cancer foundation.

"[Our employees] exemplify three core values daily: we genuinely care, we inspire growth and we have fun," Atlantic Bay Mortgage's spokeswoman said in a written statement.

Fun activities include an annual costume contest on "Zoom-a-Ween" or holiday movie watchalongs during the winter months.

Towne Mortgage team members celebrating at the company's September picnic.

Towne Mortgage

Towne Mortgage Company

Headquarters: Troy, Michigan
Number of Employees: 223
Website:

www.townemortgage.com

The Michigan-based lender has persisted through a difficult market because its smaller size allows it to be agile in decisionmaking, CEO Mark Janssen said.

Towne is licensed in all but a few states, and is a predominantly wholesale lender. A retail arm helped Towne reach around $1 billion in originations last year, and Janssen expects the number to rise amid some upcoming business moves.

Part of its unique culture includes underwriters having direct communication with customers to ensure smooth transactions. "If you treat your team members well, they'll treat the customers well," he said.

Mattamy Home Funding supports the philosophy that the team that cooks together stays together.

Mattamy Home Funding

Headquarters: Maitland, Florida
Number of employees: 60
Website:

https://www.mattamyhf.com

Mattamy engages its team with "radical candor," emphasizing transparency and questions around its builder sales, said President Estelle Norvell.

The 16-year-old firm is a joint venture lender and servicer of a homebuilder and still counts most of its business in Florida, followed by originations in Arizona, Texas and the Carolinas.

The company has been able to offer buyers incentives through closing cost contributions and buydowns, an advantage amid tighter inventory. Internally, the company also undertakes "gift conversations" – the firm's check-in with its employees.

"People thrive better when they don't have to wonder what's going on or how they're seen by leadership and what their job is," she said.

Mann Mortgage Champions Club meeting in Florida.

Mann Mortgage

Headquarters: Kalispell, Montana
Number of employees: 365 employees
Website:

https://mannmortgage.com/

Mann Mortgage is a family-owned company founded in 1989 by Don Mann and now run by his son, Jason Mann. The retail lender offers a plethora of products ranging from renovation loans, construction loans to conventional loans.

The mortgage shop has a little over 50 branches nationwide and is licensed to originate loans in 29 states and Washington D.C.

According to Mann's spokeswoman, the company has regular appreciation events for its employees to celebrate. The company culture values "straight talk."

"We create a space for employees to share feedback, innovative ideas, enhance efficiency, and suggest changes that positively impact our business practices," a spokeswoman said in a written statement."'Straight talk' embodies honest communication without unnecessary harshness, which supports our commitment to another key value: ease of doing business."

Brad Finkelstein

Originations Editor, National Mortgage News