Mortgage Network reports that it has opened new branch offices in Philadelphia, Pa., Moorestown, N.J., and Tampa, Fla., adding a total of 40 branch managers, loan officers and operations staff.
Of the number of veteran mortgage professionals joining Mortgage Network, the most senior leader is Michael Burke, district manager, a 17-year mortgage industry veteran who recently worked as district manager at Eagle Home Mortgage, the residential mortgage arm of Lennar, a nationwide homebuilder.
Mortgage Network’s Florham Park, N.J., office is the largest new branch, housing 13 loan officers and 10 operations staff. The operations team and sales support will be led by Jenny Wiecek, most recently district operations manager at Eagle Home Loan.
In addition, Jack Flynn recently joined Mortgage Network as a loan officer in its Providence, R.I., branch.
Flynn has more than 18 years of mortgage banking experience in the Greater Boston and Rhode Island area. Most recently, he was a loan originator for loanDepot.
A U.S. Army veteran, Flynn has served in the Rhode Island Army National Guard for more than 25 years. He is an affiliate member of the Newport County Board of Realtors, serving on the Community Outreach Committee. He is also a member of the Greater Boston Association of Realtors and the Northern Rhode Island Board of Realtors, where he is a member of its education committee.
In addition, Zak Kornbliet joined the company as a loan officer in its Wellesley, Mass., branch.
Kornbliet is a graduate of Mortgage Network’s Mortgage Banker in Training (MBIT) program, which allows highly motivated loan officer candidates to learn all aspects of the mortgage business.
MBIT trainees are exposed to every job position at the company and must master each step of the loan process in addition to completing online coursework and preparing for their licensing examination.
Launched in 2012, the MBIT program combines written work, on-the-job-training and mentoring to give loan officer candidates a strong start to a successful career in the mortgage industry.
In a release, Brian Koss, executive vice president of Mortgage Network, says the additional offices and new hires will significantly increase the company’s reach throughout the East Coast, but that was not the motivating factor behind bringing on so many people.
“Our goal is not to be the largest lender but simply the best,” Koss says. “Most of the professionals joining Mortgage Network today have worked together for a long time, so we know they are hitting the ground running. They also have expert knowledge about their local markets, so in areas where multiple offers are common, they can help borrowers get ahead of the game. Most importantly, they love this business as much as we do.”