Independent and family-owned since 1855.
We’re more than a wholesale lender.
Unparalleled strategic partnerships.

Our Story

Our profound expertise in the Credit Union and Community Bank sectors, combined with our unique model and 170 years of history, allows us to provide unparalleled, service-focused partnership options that other traditional third party service providers cannot deliver. We understand the specific challenges and opportunities inherent in the Credit Union and Community Bank industries and are well-positioned to effectively support the goals and objectives of each partner with customized strategies.

Based in the Chicagoland area and serving across the United States, we have relationships with dozens of investors, which allow us to deliver a comprehensive suite of personalized mortgage options and real estate services that meet each of our borrowers’ individual needs. Our partners count on our team of seasoned operational professionals known for their service excellence to help make the dream of homeownership a reality for their customers.

Why Affinity?

We chose the word “affinity” because it reflects our commitment — we take on your challenges and opportunities as our own. Our partnerships are built on reciprocity, helping your financial institution strengthen relationships with your current customers through mortgage offerings and real estate services without taking on more staff or technology.

We are not limited to what other wholesale or correspondent lenders provide — we think strategically to provide tailored options for your specific business needs and objectives. We offer additional benefits like marketing materials, training for your teams and a reciprocal relationship that allows us to benefit from the loan products that we both have. Whether you already have an existing mortgage department or you’re looking to expand, we’re here to deliver.

A different kind of wholesale lender.

  • A fulfillment team that boasts a 90+ NPS
  • Access to dozens of niche products
  • Continuous training and education on products to increase confidence in your team
  • World class support designed to help you be successful

A partnership that goes both ways

You choose how and when we support the mortgage process. In turn, we help bring business back to your institution by leveraging your products and extending loan trading and real estate services.

Access to competitive product offerings

With our flexible investors, we can offer a wide variety of niche products that your competitors don’t have access to.

We’re independent and community-focused, just like you

We have roots that date back to 1855 and we have chosen to stay independent because it means we make choices based on what’s best for our communities, not shareholders.

Support you can truly rely on

From tailoring our partnership to your needs to handling every step of the loan process, we make it easier. From your dedicated partner relations director to your licensed loan coordinator, there’s always someone you can go to.

Select the partnership that’s right for you.

We understand that each financial institution has different capabilities and unique goals — that’s why we’ve created distinct partnership models that allow us to meet your business exactly where you need us most.

Looking for a reliable, mortgage partner to take care of your clients like you would? You get a dedicated, full-time loan team with comprehensive experience that operates as an extension of your financial institution — delivering world-class customer service and a wide range of superior mortgage services. After a warm hand-off, we work directly with your borrowers to take care of their home loans. You get peace of mind knowing that your customers can come to you for their home loans and that they’re getting excellent service from a trusted partner. 

Want to expand your mortgage loan capabilities without taking on the operational overhead?  Support your borrowers as they submit their mortgage loan applications and let our team handle the rest. You choose where your team stops and ours starts during the origination phase. From there, we seamlessly pick up where your team leaves off — taking care of essential tasks like processing, underwriting and closing. With our live milestone updates, you will know exactly where your borrower is in the process. We take this off your plate so you can spend time focusing on helping more borrowers and reaching your business goals.  

Do you already have an in-house mortgage operation? Enhance your product offerings to your customers with our extensive selection of loan programs with little to no overlays. Remain the customer contact throughout the process while your team originates and processes applications within your lending department. Our experienced team, which includes in-house DE underwriters, will handle the underwriting and closing of the loans on your behalf while you have the choice to retain servicing. 

We are licensed in 18 states to ensure that we can help you serve homebuyers wherever you are located.

Doing the right thing for our clients and communities is important to us.

Good Will Works

Good Will Works is the latest evolution of our charitable arm, formerly known as Key Mortgage Cares. Our mission is about strengthening communities as a whole, so the people who live there can lead healthy, safe and prosperous lives. To date, we have donated almost $5 million to organizations throughout Chicagoland.

Learn More

Community Impact and Lending

We work closely with lenders, agents, community leaders, non-profit organizations and local businesses to identify lending opportunities that support the growth and success of families living in underserved communities.

KeysToHome Workshops

A transformative program designed to provide guidance, resources and a sense of community to those who have never imagined themselves as homeowners, and to illuminate the path to homeownership through our interactive and educational workshops.

NEST

A unique, free nurture program for clients who are motivated to buy, but not ready yet. Each potential client is introduced to a team of licensed Key Mortgage loan officers who focus solely on creating a custom plan to help them become mortgage-ready. 

History

1855 1855
1871 1871
1897 1897
1930’s 1930’s
1962 1962
1970’s 1970’s
1988 1988
2003 2003
2011 2011
2011 & 2012 2011 & 2012
2012-19 & 2022-23 2012-19 & 2022-23
2017 – 2020 2017 – 2020

1855

The company records its first transaction, a $5,000 mortgage loan.

1871

The Great Chicago Fire level 79 blocks of Chicago, including the courthouse that held real estate records. The company’s safe managed to survive, and the documents inside helped assure titles and lot lines, making reconstruction easier.

1897

As Chicagoland’s population continues to grow, the company focused on a range of services designed to make the process easier, such as collecting rents, providing loans and managing real estate sales.

1930’s

During the Great Depression, when people struggled to pay rent and meet mortgage payments, the company helped make a difficult time easier by arranging compromises between building owners and mortgage holders.

1962

Company leadership took a stand advocating for fair housing and anti-discrimination laws, making the dream of home ownership a reality for many while opening the city and suburbs to renewal.

1970’s

Pioneered the re-investment and development of the Printer’s Row neighborhood of Chicago

1988

An important step towards a real estate One-Stop Shop begins by establishing Baird & Warner Financial Services.

2003

To complete the One-Stop Shop, a title services branch of the company was established to give clients a more seamless real estate experience through an exclusive group of local expert attorneys.

2011

In order to serve partners and their clients outside of our parent company, we renamed our company as Key Mortgage Services, Inc.

2011 & 2012

Won Top Mortgage Lender in Chicagoland with Chicago Agent Magazine.

2012-19 & 2022-23

Awarded Top Workplace by Chicago Tribune for 10 years.

2017 – 2020

Named Top Employer by National Mortgage Professional Magazine until the award was no longer given out.

Team

Jen Poniatowski is senior vice president of mortgage growth and market expansion at Key Mortgage Services. She boasts over 15 years of experience in financial services, mortgage lending, sales, and leadership development. Previously, she held key leadership positions, including vice president of mortgage lending at a 2 billion dollar financial institution and director of communications and business development at the Center for Practical Management. Poniatowski applies her expertise and enthusiasm to help financial institutions navigate a changing industry, drive revenue growth, expand market share, and cultivate high-performing sales teams.

Matthew Wildman is the director of partnerships at Key Mortgage Services. Through his 20-year background in the retail banking, commercial lending, and technology sectors, Wildman has a wealth of experience in strategic corporate sales, operations, marketing, product development, human resources, and team development. He is a graduate of the American Bankers Association (ABA) Graduate School of Banking and has undergone the Wharton School of Business leadership program, also through the ABA. 

Ralph Melbourne is president of Key Mortgage, Baird & Warner Title Services and Adaptive Insurance. He has over 25 years of experience in mortgage lending, including serving as the national head of mortgage lending at BMO Harris Private Bank and overseeing a mortgage origination joint venture at one of the largest U.S. retail mortgage companies. Melbourne has deep knowledge of the mortgage space and brings unique experience leading business reinvention initiatives for financial institutions. He delivers outstanding results, service, and growth through a calm and thoughtful approach.

Dave Mueller is the senior vice president of capital markets at Key Mortgage Services. With more than 20 years of experience in mortgage banking, secondary marketing, risk management, and market analysis, he leads the company’s strategic growth initiatives. Mueller has managed investor relations, secondary marketing execution, bulk MSR transfers, margin management and product development. He previously served multiple terms on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Mortgage Bankers Association, where he co-chaired the Secondary Marketing Committee.

Jim Collier is senior vice president and head of fulfillment operations and strategy for Key Mortgage Services. He has held executive leadership positions within mortgage operations for multiple financial institutions, including Nations Lending, Guaranteed Rate, SunTrust, and most recently served as chief operating officer for SWBC and Ruoff Mortgage. He has over 25 years of expertise in establishing superior results in client service, employee satisfaction, process efficiency, scalability, risk management, quality control, and financial performance.

Let’s have a conversation.

We would like to learn more about your goals for your financial institution.

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425 North Martingale Road, Suite 1710
Schaumburg, IL 60173
708-918-4396
affinity@mykeymortgage.com

For general assistance call:
800.222.5090

 

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All loans are subject to credit approval. Key Mortgage Services Inc., dba KMS NMLS# 155748, 425 N. Martingale Rd., Suite #1710, Schaumburg, IL 60173. For licensing information, go to: http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

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