National City Plans Wholesale Push

National City Mortgage, Cleveland, has announced plans to position its wholesale division for long-term growth by merging some wholesale branches and originating all mortgages under the National City brand name.The company said the mergers of yet-to-be-identified branches will be aimed at creating more full-service locations with enhanced infrastructure and expanded management, sales, and operations staffs. By the first quarter of 2006, National City's wholesale distribution channels -- which include AccuBanc Mortgage and Commonwealth United Mortgage as well as National City Mortgage -- will all originate mortgages under the National City name. "This strategy will strengthen our brand presence, clarify geographic relationships, and allow us to grow the wholesale mortgage business under one instantly recognizable name," said Buck Bibb, chief executive officer of National City Mortgage. The company said its correspondent lending channel will not be affected by the wholesale initiative. National City Mortgage can be found online at http://www.nationalcitymortgage.com.