Press Releases
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Plano, TX, July 28, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Elizabeth has joined forces with LeaderOne Financial Corporation, a diversified financial services organization with locations throughout the United States. As AVP of Production, she'll employ her wealth of knowledge in this newly created role. Her focus will be to apply her experience and talent to further assist the firm's growth objectives.
Prior to arriving at LeaderOne Financial, she served as Vice President of Sales, Business Development and Training for Mortgage Success Source, Elizabeth has trained thousands of mortgage originators across the country. Mortgage Success Source, the industry's leading provider of industry content and market expertise, is the parent of brands Mortgage Market Guide and LoanToolbox.
Elizabeth's fascination with the financial markets combined with her desire to help others and establish solid relationships led to the development of The Bare Essentials education series for both corporate partners and individual members at Mortgage Market Guide.
Since then, Elizabeth's workshops and webinars have consisted of business planning; marketing and social media; financial markets and literacy; mortgage backed security pricing and technical analysis. Over the years, she has contributed content to Mortgage Market Guide, LoanToolBox, and YOU Magazine.
Elizabeth has kept her hand in the origination business, remaining active at the grassroots level. As a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist, Elizabeth is committed to her clients, providing holistic and comprehensive advice so people can reach financial security faster.
Elizabeth will be working closely with Brent Duhaime, LeaderOne Financial's Chief Production Officer, at the firm's Plano, TX location. "I'm looking forward to our continued growth and I'm especially excited that Elizabeth will play a critical role in that growth," says Duhaime.
Elizabeth is from Atlanta, Georgia and currently resides in Texas near her two grown daughters and their families.
LeaderOne Financial Grows Despite Shrinking Mortgage Market Projections
Midwest-based mortgage banker grew volume 200% in 2010 with only 17% additional headcount
Overland Park, KS, February, 2011 – LeaderOne Financial, a Kansas City area-based mortgage banker with offices in several regions of the country, has experienced strong growth even though the Mortgage Bankers Association expects the mortgage market to dive 36% in 2011, from $1.5 trillion in 2010 to an expected $996 billion in 2011. LeaderOne Financial seems unconcerned that this will be the smallest national market for mortgages since 1997, which is not overly surprising when considering that the company experienced a 200% increase in mortgage production last year. According to LeaderOne Financial's founder and CEO, A.W. Pickel III, there is cause for optimism for three important reasons.
"First, there are a lot fewer originators and origination companies in the market than there were just a few years ago," Pickel says. "Figures from the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) confirm that even with the reduced market size, there are plenty of loans available for those who remain committed to the business. Secondly, we find that leveraging technology gives us efficiencies that were only dreamed of before," he says, citing that LeaderOne's great increase in production in 2011 was accomplished with only 17% in additional headcount. "Thirdly, we are only growing where we know good people, thanks to the personal networks of the well-established professionals who make up the LeaderOne team."
LeaderOne Chief Production Officer Brent Duhaime, a 20-year mortgage veteran with deep roots in the Midwest banking and mortgage community, says that those three factors are indeed fueling LeaderOne's growth as the company forecasts a 25% increase in mortgage production for 2011. "Lenders exiting the market often leave behind highly qualified and well-regarded loan origination staffs who are looking for homes," he explains. "They contact other good people they know in the industry and that often leads to someone at LeaderOne. When you put people first, a core principle with our firm, it means you do right by customers and team members. The word gets around and people want to come work with you." Duhaime says this sort of opportunistic growth is leading not only to an expansion of LeaderOne Financial's footprint in the middle third of the country, but also to an increased presence in other parts of the nation where they have found good people. "We opened offices in Colorado, Washington, Pennsylvania and Maryland in 2010, and we increased our presence in Texas, Iowa and Illinois," he states. "In 2011, we're expecting to add teams in Georgia, Alabama and the Washington D.C. metro area. We go where the good people are," he says. "You get high quality loans when you have high quality people originating them, and that's what we're looking for."
LeaderOne Financial also expects to continue to utilize their current array of government loan programs, which collectively represented 63% of the company's $500 million in 2010 production. "That percentage will likely decrease a bit as we grow in areas that are traditionally stronger in conventional categories," observes Pickel, a former president of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. "But we have always been an FHA, USDA and other government program lender, and that won't change." Pickel also notes that the best growth strategy is one focused, once again, on the people factor. "It's a people business," he explains. "Despite the importance of advertising, the best way to get the word out is through referrals from people who have been your customers or have done business with you," Pickel stresses. "The most important business development tool we have is our own reputation."
Brent Duhaime agrees, and is quick to add that reputations are built on service -- and that often comes as a result of leveraging technology to create a positive borrower experience. The company has long had a reputation for technology sophistication and innovation, something not missed by quality origination professionals looking to join a new firm."We do as much as possible online and use 'cloud' technology to keep the customer-facing people fast and responsive," he says. "These capabilities are also a great recruiting tool, particularly with high quality loan officers who are burned out on the big delays the huge banks are living with these days. As A.W. says, it's a people business."
LeaderOne Financial Announces Winner of Loan Contest
Kansas City, Missouri – June 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce that Nick Stavropoulos was the winner of the recent Mortgage Banker Contest. Stavropoulos closed 55 loans between March and June 2010 to win the company-wide contest. This would be an impressive number of loans for any mortgage professional, but is even more remarkable considering that Stavropoulos has been in the industry for five years.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
Based in Kansas City, Stavropoulos has been with LeaderOne Financial for one year, having spent four years at United Mortgage Group. He enjoys being able to focus on developing relationships with clients and real estate agents with the support of LeaderOne's management and in-house underwriting. He hopes to continue his prolific pace of loan closing and widen his network to include more states.
While he appreciated the recognition from the contest, Stavropoulos wanted the prize to go to his assistant and loan processor, Cindi Graham. "She works just as hard as I do and has to deal with me on a daily basis," said Stavropoulos.
"Nick Stavropoulos showed what it takes to be a stellar LeaderOne loan consultant. As the leading loan originator over the past four months, Nick was the top producer closing over 7.7 million in loan volume and wins the trip for two including airfare to Aruba. True to his nature of caring for others, Nick has donated his trip to his processor, Cindi, for her to use. Congratulations to Nick!!" said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
Contact:
Nick Stavropoulos
LeaderOne Financial
10020 NW Prairie View Road
Kansas City, MO 64153
816-285-5364
LeaderOne Financial Opens Office in Spokane
Spokane, Wash. – July, 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce the opening of a new office in Spokane, Washington. The office, which is co-managed by Joe Spitz and Randy Emery, opened on July 6, 2010. Before joining LeaderOne Financial, the two previously owned Mortgage Plus Inc, which at its height closed 100 million in loans.
Emery and Spitz started Mortgage Plus in 1999 and consistently closed over 200 loans a year. They saw an opportunity for new growth by joining LeaderOne Financial and are looking forward to maintaining relationships with established clients while building new relationships. "Our combined 50 years of experience, strong work ethic and customer service focus should help us continue to develop, expand and change to this rapidly changing mortgage business," said office manager Randy Emery.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
"We are very fortunate to have Randy Emery and Joe Spitz join our mortgage banking team. We look forward to their contribution to our team effort at providing world class service to our customers in Spokane. I know that their mindset of serving their local customers with great rates and great service fits well with our company mindset," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
The goal of LeaderOne Spokane is to continue to service the approximately 1700 present clients they have, maintaining their excellent client retention program while they expand. "Our goal is to expand the outside referral focus to help compliment what has been working for us the past 11 years. If we add this piece we should be able to maintain or increase our current production numbers and gain market share in Spokane."
Working alongside Emery and Spitz are loan assistant and processor Priscilla Lykles and administrative assistant Cheryl Dalton. Lykles has worked diligently with Emery since 1989 and Dalton has been the administrative assistant for the past 6 years and is valued for her efficiency and customer service focus.
Contact:
Randy Emery
Office Manager/Mortgage Loan Consultant
LeaderOne Financial
509-462-2380
LeaderOne Financial Starts Joint Venture with Exit Realty Group
Leawood, Kansas – May 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce a joint venture between its Leawood, Kansas office and Exit Realty Group. Andrew Belt cultivated a relationship with Exit Realty, showing this successful real estate brokerage the value of working with LeaderOne Financial. Belt and Exit Realty broker and owner Greg Shahan have developed a "one-stop shop," offering real estate, title and mortgage services.
Belt points out that the in-house lender at many real estate offices is the big box bank, which he believes is not as nimble and knowledgeable as LeaderOne can be. "We have proven in the last six to seven months that agents have closed a lot of deals that they would not have closed if LeaderOne Financial wasn't in their office," Belt said. He also sees this as a way to create equilibrium in the mortgage and real estate cycle for both partners.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
Co-located in the same office with LeaderOne, Exit Realty is a wholesale real estate brokerage with established agents. LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank, with in-house underwriting for exceptional turn-around rates for closing the loan. "There are a large number of deals out there that take 60 to 90 days, and then sometimes don't close. We know from the get go what the borrowers capabilities are, along with the lending industry. The idea is to produce these answers quickly," said Belt.
"This venture, which combines the best of a real estate company and a mortgage company, is indeed the future of the real estate purchases. I look forward to working with Andrew Belt and Greg Shahan to a successful future," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
Belt hopes to duplicate this model with other LeaderOne offices. He feels that for the mortgage loan customer there is nothing more frustrating than the delays when two to three parties are involved in the process. The consumer is concerned with the efficiency and performance, and the ease of going to one place for mortgage, real estate and title needs is a valuable service.
Belt has a business degree from the University of Missouri and received his mortgage training in Chicago. He has been with LeaderOne Financial for two and half years and expressed his appreciation for the company's open door policy. He has received strong support and encouragement from the corporate office as he developed this venture.
Contact:
Andrew Belt, LeaderOne Financial
4501 College Blvd, Ste 190
Leawood, KS 66211
913-375-2275
LeaderOne Financial Serves Rural and Outlying Communities in Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri – May, 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce a new initiative started by Josh Buffum and Jeff Newton to serve the mortgage needs of people in the rural and outlying communities surrounding Kansas City. The two mortgage professionals developed the idea while playing golf on a 9-hole course in Trenton, Missouri, to do a local radio show to provide mortgage information to people in that community. "We didn't know if anyone would even be listening, but it turns out a lot of people were listening to it," said Buffum.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
"Josh Buffum and Jeff Newton know a good opportunity when they see it. Having watched banks pull out of rural communities such as Jeff's hometown of Trenton, Missouri, they know how hard it is to find a good mortgage banker who can really help and be there to offer personal assistance. Their goal to be in the rural communities with competent mortgage professionals who are there in the good times and bad shows not only their commitment to serve rural America but also LeaderOne's commitment to those folks," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
The two have been with LeaderOne for two years and were searching for a unique way to reach customers and provide a valuable service. The radio show focuses on the challenges that consumers face when it comes to home financing and real estate. They invite industry insiders like appraisers and inspectors on the show to give insight into the home buying and refinancing process. In an effort to provide relevant content for their listeners, Buffum and Newton incorporate industry people from the community.
"We are making an effort to weave ourselves into the fabric of what is going on in the community," said Buffum.
They have grown from their weekly radio show in the Trenton area to include a second district. Some of the communities LeaderOne is reaching are Chillicothe, Brookfield, Marceline, Savannah, Maryville and Cameron. Buffum and Newton have identified six districts that they would like to reach over the next two years. As they make a connection with each community they establish a LeaderOne Financial office, hiring local mortgage bankers when possible.
"We are a professional outfit that is doing a good service for the communities, developing relationships with real estate people and the local Chamber of Commerce. We plan to be an integral part of the community that people can count on," said Buffum.
Contact:
Josh Buffum
7000 NW Prairie View Road
Kansas City, Mo. 64151
816.587.6800
LeaderOne Financial Opens Offices in Seattle
Seattle, Wash. – April, 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce the opening of two offices in Seattle, Washington. Andy Gavagan and Allen Price founded Sound Lending 11 years ago and along with Chad Erickson opened LeaderOne offices in the Seattle area in April 2010. The two offices employ 15 mortgage bankers and support staff.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
"We are very fortunate to have Chad Erickson, Andy Gavagan, and Allen Price join the LeaderOne mortgage banking team. Combined, these three along with their staff, bring a total of 122 years of mortgage industry experience. They literally have been that and done that. But more importantly, they believe in LeaderOne's core concept, world class service," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
The three Washing ton mortgage professionals were attracted to LeaderOne Financial's strong management team and good underwriting platform. "We are looking to provide a good platform for professional loan officers who value service," said Erickson. They look forward to continuing old relationships and developing new ones as they grow in the Greater Puget Sound market.
Contact:
Chad Erickson
33305 1st South Way, #B100
Federal Way, WA
253-838-5100
LeaderOne Financial Promotes Melissa Cook to Underwriting Manager
Overland Park, Kansas – January, 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce the promotion of Melissa Cook to Underwriting Manager. During Melissa Cook's eight year tenure with LeaderOne, she has been a loan officer assistant, processor and underwriter. Cook has gained expertise in the mortgage industry since 1993 in loan closing and processing and as a closing and post-closing manager.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
"Melissa Cook has proven herself to be an excellent underwriter, both in her attention to detail and her common sense approach to making loans. I congratulate her on this promotion and consider her an invaluable part of our company," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
Cook will facilitate good communication from the underwriting department in regard to specific loan scenarios, keeping Agency guidelines and standards in the forefront. She plans to help streamline the mortgage loan process from origination to closing in order to foster LeaderOne Financial's continued growth and success.
"My goals in my new position are to increase productivity in the underwriting department while also maintaining a high standard of quality," said Cook.
Contact:
Melissa Cook, Underwriting Manager
LeaderOne Financial
11020 King St., Suite 390
Overland Park, KS 66210
1800-270-3416
LeaderOne Financial Opens New Office in St. Louis
St. Louis, Mo – January, 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce the opening of a new office in St. Louis, Missouri. Chris Sander and Michael Lynch bring their experience from IMS Mortgage Services to this new venture with LeaderOne. "One of the things that really sold me with LeaderOne is that from the top down it's about being the best at what we do. Not necessarily the biggest, but conducting business with integrity and service," said Sander.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
"We are very fortunate to have Chris Sander and Michael Lynch with their staff join our mortgage banking team. Their office is situated in the heart of St. Louis and positioned well to offer world class service to our customers throughout the St. Louis area. In addition, Chris brings to our team the added experience of being involved strategically with the mortgage associations in Missouri helping to design and craft mortgage related laws," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
Sander developed a relationship with Pickel and LeaderOne by working on different mortgage legislation in Washington, D.C. Sander served as president of the Missouri Association of Mortgage Brokers (MAMB) from 2005 to 2006. He currently serves as an instructor for the National Mortgage Licensing Service and has been instrumental in improving recent mortgage lending and licensing legislation. This year was a transition time for his company and he felt that mortgage brokers were not going to survive after the fallout of the subprime market. Joining with LeaderOne Financial was a "no brainer."
Sander, Lynch and their staff of six plan to develop and employ the best mortgage bankers in the industry. Long-term plans for this office of LeaderOne include building on Sander's previous experience in the Tuscan area to develop a LeaderOne presence in Arizona. "The biggest thing is that I am grateful to the staff that I have and for the support of my wife and family in this new endeavor. I am very passionate about the mortgage industry and LeaderOne has given us a new outlook and a fresh start," said Sander.
Contact:
Chris Sander
10420 Old Olive St Rd, Ste 208
St. Louis, MO 63141
314-222-5500
Plano, TX, July 28, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Elizabeth has joined forces with LeaderOne Financial Corporation, a diversified financial services organization with locations throughout the United States. As AVP of Production, she'll employ her wealth of knowledge in this newly created role. Her focus will be to apply her experience and talent to further assist the firm's growth objectives.
Prior to arriving at LeaderOne Financial, she served as Vice President of Sales, Business Development and Training for Mortgage Success Source, Elizabeth has trained thousands of mortgage originators across the country. Mortgage Success Source, the industry's leading provider of industry content and market expertise, is the parent of brands Mortgage Market Guide and LoanToolbox.
Elizabeth's fascination with the financial markets combined with her desire to help others and establish solid relationships led to the development of The Bare Essentials education series for both corporate partners and individual members at Mortgage Market Guide.
Since then, Elizabeth's workshops and webinars have consisted of business planning; marketing and social media; financial markets and literacy; mortgage backed security pricing and technical analysis. Over the years, she has contributed content to Mortgage Market Guide, LoanToolBox, and YOU Magazine.
Elizabeth has kept her hand in the origination business, remaining active at the grassroots level. As a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist, Elizabeth is committed to her clients, providing holistic and comprehensive advice so people can reach financial security faster.
Elizabeth will be working closely with Brent Duhaime, LeaderOne Financial's Chief Production Officer, at the firm's Plano, TX location. "I'm looking forward to our continued growth and I'm especially excited that Elizabeth will play a critical role in that growth," says Duhaime.
Elizabeth is from Atlanta, Georgia and currently resides in Texas near her two grown daughters and their families.
LeaderOne Financial Grows Despite Shrinking Mortgage Market Projections
Midwest-based mortgage banker grew volume 200% in 2010 with only 17% additional headcount
Overland Park, KS, February, 2011 – LeaderOne Financial, a Kansas City area-based mortgage banker with offices in several regions of the country, has experienced strong growth even though the Mortgage Bankers Association expects the mortgage market to dive 36% in 2011, from $1.5 trillion in 2010 to an expected $996 billion in 2011. LeaderOne Financial seems unconcerned that this will be the smallest national market for mortgages since 1997, which is not overly surprising when considering that the company experienced a 200% increase in mortgage production last year. According to LeaderOne Financial's founder and CEO, A.W. Pickel III, there is cause for optimism for three important reasons.
"First, there are a lot fewer originators and origination companies in the market than there were just a few years ago," Pickel says. "Figures from the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) confirm that even with the reduced market size, there are plenty of loans available for those who remain committed to the business. Secondly, we find that leveraging technology gives us efficiencies that were only dreamed of before," he says, citing that LeaderOne's great increase in production in 2011 was accomplished with only 17% in additional headcount. "Thirdly, we are only growing where we know good people, thanks to the personal networks of the well-established professionals who make up the LeaderOne team."
LeaderOne Chief Production Officer Brent Duhaime, a 20-year mortgage veteran with deep roots in the Midwest banking and mortgage community, says that those three factors are indeed fueling LeaderOne's growth as the company forecasts a 25% increase in mortgage production for 2011. "Lenders exiting the market often leave behind highly qualified and well-regarded loan origination staffs who are looking for homes," he explains. "They contact other good people they know in the industry and that often leads to someone at LeaderOne. When you put people first, a core principle with our firm, it means you do right by customers and team members. The word gets around and people want to come work with you." Duhaime says this sort of opportunistic growth is leading not only to an expansion of LeaderOne Financial's footprint in the middle third of the country, but also to an increased presence in other parts of the nation where they have found good people. "We opened offices in Colorado, Washington, Pennsylvania and Maryland in 2010, and we increased our presence in Texas, Iowa and Illinois," he states. "In 2011, we're expecting to add teams in Georgia, Alabama and the Washington D.C. metro area. We go where the good people are," he says. "You get high quality loans when you have high quality people originating them, and that's what we're looking for."
LeaderOne Financial also expects to continue to utilize their current array of government loan programs, which collectively represented 63% of the company's $500 million in 2010 production. "That percentage will likely decrease a bit as we grow in areas that are traditionally stronger in conventional categories," observes Pickel, a former president of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. "But we have always been an FHA, USDA and other government program lender, and that won't change." Pickel also notes that the best growth strategy is one focused, once again, on the people factor. "It's a people business," he explains. "Despite the importance of advertising, the best way to get the word out is through referrals from people who have been your customers or have done business with you," Pickel stresses. "The most important business development tool we have is our own reputation."
Brent Duhaime agrees, and is quick to add that reputations are built on service -- and that often comes as a result of leveraging technology to create a positive borrower experience. The company has long had a reputation for technology sophistication and innovation, something not missed by quality origination professionals looking to join a new firm."We do as much as possible online and use 'cloud' technology to keep the customer-facing people fast and responsive," he says. "These capabilities are also a great recruiting tool, particularly with high quality loan officers who are burned out on the big delays the huge banks are living with these days. As A.W. says, it's a people business."
LeaderOne Financial Announces Winner of Loan Contest
Kansas City, Missouri – June 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce that Nick Stavropoulos was the winner of the recent Mortgage Banker Contest. Stavropoulos closed 55 loans between March and June 2010 to win the company-wide contest. This would be an impressive number of loans for any mortgage professional, but is even more remarkable considering that Stavropoulos has been in the industry for five years.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
Based in Kansas City, Stavropoulos has been with LeaderOne Financial for one year, having spent four years at United Mortgage Group. He enjoys being able to focus on developing relationships with clients and real estate agents with the support of LeaderOne's management and in-house underwriting. He hopes to continue his prolific pace of loan closing and widen his network to include more states.
While he appreciated the recognition from the contest, Stavropoulos wanted the prize to go to his assistant and loan processor, Cindi Graham. "She works just as hard as I do and has to deal with me on a daily basis," said Stavropoulos.
"Nick Stavropoulos showed what it takes to be a stellar LeaderOne loan consultant. As the leading loan originator over the past four months, Nick was the top producer closing over 7.7 million in loan volume and wins the trip for two including airfare to Aruba. True to his nature of caring for others, Nick has donated his trip to his processor, Cindi, for her to use. Congratulations to Nick!!" said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
Contact:
Nick Stavropoulos
LeaderOne Financial
10020 NW Prairie View Road
Kansas City, MO 64153
816-285-5364
LeaderOne Financial Opens Office in Spokane
Spokane, Wash. – July, 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce the opening of a new office in Spokane, Washington. The office, which is co-managed by Joe Spitz and Randy Emery, opened on July 6, 2010. Before joining LeaderOne Financial, the two previously owned Mortgage Plus Inc, which at its height closed 100 million in loans.
Emery and Spitz started Mortgage Plus in 1999 and consistently closed over 200 loans a year. They saw an opportunity for new growth by joining LeaderOne Financial and are looking forward to maintaining relationships with established clients while building new relationships. "Our combined 50 years of experience, strong work ethic and customer service focus should help us continue to develop, expand and change to this rapidly changing mortgage business," said office manager Randy Emery.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
"We are very fortunate to have Randy Emery and Joe Spitz join our mortgage banking team. We look forward to their contribution to our team effort at providing world class service to our customers in Spokane. I know that their mindset of serving their local customers with great rates and great service fits well with our company mindset," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
The goal of LeaderOne Spokane is to continue to service the approximately 1700 present clients they have, maintaining their excellent client retention program while they expand. "Our goal is to expand the outside referral focus to help compliment what has been working for us the past 11 years. If we add this piece we should be able to maintain or increase our current production numbers and gain market share in Spokane."
Working alongside Emery and Spitz are loan assistant and processor Priscilla Lykles and administrative assistant Cheryl Dalton. Lykles has worked diligently with Emery since 1989 and Dalton has been the administrative assistant for the past 6 years and is valued for her efficiency and customer service focus.
Contact:
Randy Emery
Office Manager/Mortgage Loan Consultant
LeaderOne Financial
509-462-2380
LeaderOne Financial Starts Joint Venture with Exit Realty Group
Leawood, Kansas – May 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce a joint venture between its Leawood, Kansas office and Exit Realty Group. Andrew Belt cultivated a relationship with Exit Realty, showing this successful real estate brokerage the value of working with LeaderOne Financial. Belt and Exit Realty broker and owner Greg Shahan have developed a "one-stop shop," offering real estate, title and mortgage services.
Belt points out that the in-house lender at many real estate offices is the big box bank, which he believes is not as nimble and knowledgeable as LeaderOne can be. "We have proven in the last six to seven months that agents have closed a lot of deals that they would not have closed if LeaderOne Financial wasn't in their office," Belt said. He also sees this as a way to create equilibrium in the mortgage and real estate cycle for both partners.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
Co-located in the same office with LeaderOne, Exit Realty is a wholesale real estate brokerage with established agents. LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank, with in-house underwriting for exceptional turn-around rates for closing the loan. "There are a large number of deals out there that take 60 to 90 days, and then sometimes don't close. We know from the get go what the borrowers capabilities are, along with the lending industry. The idea is to produce these answers quickly," said Belt.
"This venture, which combines the best of a real estate company and a mortgage company, is indeed the future of the real estate purchases. I look forward to working with Andrew Belt and Greg Shahan to a successful future," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
Belt hopes to duplicate this model with other LeaderOne offices. He feels that for the mortgage loan customer there is nothing more frustrating than the delays when two to three parties are involved in the process. The consumer is concerned with the efficiency and performance, and the ease of going to one place for mortgage, real estate and title needs is a valuable service.
Belt has a business degree from the University of Missouri and received his mortgage training in Chicago. He has been with LeaderOne Financial for two and half years and expressed his appreciation for the company's open door policy. He has received strong support and encouragement from the corporate office as he developed this venture.
Contact:
Andrew Belt, LeaderOne Financial
4501 College Blvd, Ste 190
Leawood, KS 66211
913-375-2275
LeaderOne Financial Serves Rural and Outlying Communities in Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri – May, 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce a new initiative started by Josh Buffum and Jeff Newton to serve the mortgage needs of people in the rural and outlying communities surrounding Kansas City. The two mortgage professionals developed the idea while playing golf on a 9-hole course in Trenton, Missouri, to do a local radio show to provide mortgage information to people in that community. "We didn't know if anyone would even be listening, but it turns out a lot of people were listening to it," said Buffum.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
"Josh Buffum and Jeff Newton know a good opportunity when they see it. Having watched banks pull out of rural communities such as Jeff's hometown of Trenton, Missouri, they know how hard it is to find a good mortgage banker who can really help and be there to offer personal assistance. Their goal to be in the rural communities with competent mortgage professionals who are there in the good times and bad shows not only their commitment to serve rural America but also LeaderOne's commitment to those folks," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
The two have been with LeaderOne for two years and were searching for a unique way to reach customers and provide a valuable service. The radio show focuses on the challenges that consumers face when it comes to home financing and real estate. They invite industry insiders like appraisers and inspectors on the show to give insight into the home buying and refinancing process. In an effort to provide relevant content for their listeners, Buffum and Newton incorporate industry people from the community.
"We are making an effort to weave ourselves into the fabric of what is going on in the community," said Buffum.
They have grown from their weekly radio show in the Trenton area to include a second district. Some of the communities LeaderOne is reaching are Chillicothe, Brookfield, Marceline, Savannah, Maryville and Cameron. Buffum and Newton have identified six districts that they would like to reach over the next two years. As they make a connection with each community they establish a LeaderOne Financial office, hiring local mortgage bankers when possible.
"We are a professional outfit that is doing a good service for the communities, developing relationships with real estate people and the local Chamber of Commerce. We plan to be an integral part of the community that people can count on," said Buffum.
Contact:
Josh Buffum
7000 NW Prairie View Road
Kansas City, Mo. 64151
816.587.6800
LeaderOne Financial Opens Offices in Seattle
Seattle, Wash. – April, 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce the opening of two offices in Seattle, Washington. Andy Gavagan and Allen Price founded Sound Lending 11 years ago and along with Chad Erickson opened LeaderOne offices in the Seattle area in April 2010. The two offices employ 15 mortgage bankers and support staff.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
"We are very fortunate to have Chad Erickson, Andy Gavagan, and Allen Price join the LeaderOne mortgage banking team. Combined, these three along with their staff, bring a total of 122 years of mortgage industry experience. They literally have been that and done that. But more importantly, they believe in LeaderOne's core concept, world class service," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
The three Washing ton mortgage professionals were attracted to LeaderOne Financial's strong management team and good underwriting platform. "We are looking to provide a good platform for professional loan officers who value service," said Erickson. They look forward to continuing old relationships and developing new ones as they grow in the Greater Puget Sound market.
Contact:
Chad Erickson
33305 1st South Way, #B100
Federal Way, WA
253-838-5100
LeaderOne Financial Promotes Melissa Cook to Underwriting Manager
Overland Park, Kansas – January, 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce the promotion of Melissa Cook to Underwriting Manager. During Melissa Cook's eight year tenure with LeaderOne, she has been a loan officer assistant, processor and underwriter. Cook has gained expertise in the mortgage industry since 1993 in loan closing and processing and as a closing and post-closing manager.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
"Melissa Cook has proven herself to be an excellent underwriter, both in her attention to detail and her common sense approach to making loans. I congratulate her on this promotion and consider her an invaluable part of our company," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
Cook will facilitate good communication from the underwriting department in regard to specific loan scenarios, keeping Agency guidelines and standards in the forefront. She plans to help streamline the mortgage loan process from origination to closing in order to foster LeaderOne Financial's continued growth and success.
"My goals in my new position are to increase productivity in the underwriting department while also maintaining a high standard of quality," said Cook.
Contact:
Melissa Cook, Underwriting Manager
LeaderOne Financial
11020 King St., Suite 390
Overland Park, KS 66210
1800-270-3416
LeaderOne Financial Opens New Office in St. Louis
St. Louis, Mo – January, 2010
LeaderOne Financial is proud to announce the opening of a new office in St. Louis, Missouri. Chris Sander and Michael Lynch bring their experience from IMS Mortgage Services to this new venture with LeaderOne. "One of the things that really sold me with LeaderOne is that from the top down it's about being the best at what we do. Not necessarily the biggest, but conducting business with integrity and service," said Sander.
LeaderOne Financial is a full service mortgage bank with offices from Key West to Seattle. In business since 1992, LeaderOne's highly qualified staff is currently underwriting and servicing over $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne Financial prides itself on hiring and cultivating the best professionals in the mortgage industry.
"We are very fortunate to have Chris Sander and Michael Lynch with their staff join our mortgage banking team. Their office is situated in the heart of St. Louis and positioned well to offer world class service to our customers throughout the St. Louis area. In addition, Chris brings to our team the added experience of being involved strategically with the mortgage associations in Missouri helping to design and craft mortgage related laws," said A.W. Pickel, III, LeaderOne Financial founder and CEO.
Sander developed a relationship with Pickel and LeaderOne by working on different mortgage legislation in Washington, D.C. Sander served as president of the Missouri Association of Mortgage Brokers (MAMB) from 2005 to 2006. He currently serves as an instructor for the National Mortgage Licensing Service and has been instrumental in improving recent mortgage lending and licensing legislation. This year was a transition time for his company and he felt that mortgage brokers were not going to survive after the fallout of the subprime market. Joining with LeaderOne Financial was a "no brainer."
Sander, Lynch and their staff of six plan to develop and employ the best mortgage bankers in the industry. Long-term plans for this office of LeaderOne include building on Sander's previous experience in the Tuscan area to develop a LeaderOne presence in Arizona. "The biggest thing is that I am grateful to the staff that I have and for the support of my wife and family in this new endeavor. I am very passionate about the mortgage industry and LeaderOne has given us a new outlook and a fresh start," said Sander.
Contact:
Chris Sander
10420 Old Olive St Rd, Ste 208
St. Louis, MO 63141
314-222-5500
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