Interfirst Mortgage Co., a private equity-backed mortgage originator, has relaunched operations with a new proprietary loan origination technology platform and an expanded business model featuring both a wholesale platform and a soft launch of a new consumer-direct retail platform.
After placing operations on hold in 2017, Interfirst’s core leadership team spent the past two years continuing to build on previous innovations and refining the company’s proprietary technology systems to further improve its ability to originate the highest quality loans at markedly reduced costs to customers, while maintaining profitability.
Recently, Interfirst initiated a well-planned soft relaunch and began to originate mortgage loans through its wholesale and retail channels. The significant disruption to the origination and servicing markets in early 2020 accelerated the company’s plan to reenter the market with its new business model and a broader reentry in the mortgage space to help provide a needed and timely solution.
“2020 represents an unprecedented opportunity for a mortgage lender with real experience and substantial equity capitalization, no legacy challenges, and the capability to build a proprietary online experience,” says Mark Freedle, executive vice president, production, at Interfirst. “Interfirst is focused on transforming the way consumers obtain mortgages. Our objective is to enable our mortgage broker partners and loan originators to operate efficiently and friction free through a technology-driven model based on service, speed, competitive products/pricing and sustainability.”
Interfirst is building out its wholesale product offerings by recruiting qualified mortgage brokers, many of whom have previously worked with the company, from around the country, and ultimately will be operating in all 50 states.
In addition, Interfirst’s new retail channel will feature a technology-enhanced call center and a team of experienced loan originators – with access to advanced technology solutions – and along with a non-commissioned sales team that is incentivized to sell the loan that is most advantageous to the customer.
Photo: Mark Freedle