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We’re pleased to announce that we’ve added Jim Collier to our leadership team as SVP of Operations and Strategic Initiatives. In this newly created role, Jim will focus on company strategy and overseeing and optimizing our organizational architecture. 

This addition to our team comes as we work towards laying a foundation that ensures our organization is prepared for future growth. Jim’s 20+ years of experience in the mortgage industry and a proven record of delivering superior results in customer service, employee satisfaction, process efficiency, scalability, quality control and financial performance made him the ideal choice to join our Key Mortgage family. 

“I’m thrilled to welcome Jim to the team,” says Ralph Melbourne. “This is another investment in building a solid foundation and ensuring we are the best mortgage company in the business.” 

For Jim, joining the Key Mortgage team is an exciting opportunity to join a great environment and help lay the groundwork for a strong future. “Culture is really important to me. I see it here. Key Mortgage is small enough that everyone makes an impact on the business, but big enough to have all the resources and tools that national lenders have,” says Jim. “It’s better to make history than read about it and I’m excited to help chart our course here.”  

We’re delighted to have Jim at the forefront of these changes as we work towards growing Key Mortgage while continuing to deliver superior service and be a top workplace. 

Key Mortgage Services is pleased to announce the hiring of Jason Brown as area sales manager. In this role, Brown will serve as a coach to the Key Mortgage sales team, focusing on long-term growth and personalized business plans based on each loan officer’s individual goals. With this expansion of the sales team, Key Mortgage is doubling down on support for its salespeople. 

Brown brings 23 years of lending experience to Key Mortgage, including being part of a sales team that closed the second most low- to moderate-income loans in the country, close to $400-500 million in business. In his time as a loan officer, he was in the top 10% of his company, earning him five leaders club awards. 

Now that expertise is put to work supporting loan officers at Key Mortgage. “I was drawn to Key Mortgage because of the close-knit, family feel of the organization and client-centric approach. I know that they are continually investing in their loan officers and giving them opportunities to grow their business and strengthen agent relationships.” 

Brown is especially interested in the opportunity to work with loan officers at every experience level. “I love working with new loan officers and seeing how they grow within the industry just as much as I love coaching top producers to push their limits and reach levels they didn’t know were possible.”   

“Ultimately, I have an opportunity to be part of a company that’s focused on delivering great service to clients and growing their team in a sustainable way. I have total faith in the leadership at Key Mortgage and I know this is a place where I can grow my career and help others do the same.”

Key is investing in the support and leadership of our sales team so our loan officers can continue to deliver the absolute best experience for your clients. We know when we make you look good, you get referrals and we all win!

 

As part of our commitment to fair housing and civic engagement, Key Mortgage is thrilled to announce a new division dedicated to growth, education and outreach in underserved communities. 

The new Community Impact and Lending division will be spearheaded by LaToya Spann-Martin, who is taking the helm as area sales manager. “As part of my new role, I will be building a team dedicated to understanding the needs of underserved communities,” said Spann-Martin. “I believe that building generational wealth through homeownership strengthens the fabric of a family and uplifts neighborhoods.”

As part of the new position, Spann-Martin plans to leverage existing partnerships with Key Mortgage in financial literacy and lending to empower prospective clients and increase homeownership. 

Spann-Martin’s Community Impact and Lending team will 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 low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. 

Through these new initiatives, Spann-Martin hopes to continue the fair housing, racial equity and financial empowerment work that was started with Baird & Warner under the Key Mortgage name.

Spann-Martin has been with Key Mortgage since 2018, but has been passionate about community impact in every role she’s held throughout her 25-year professional career. She has previously worked as a homebuyer education instructor for both Baird & Warner’s HomeEasier workshops and Habitat for Humanity’s Homebuyer University and is currently sponsorship director of the Chicago Chapter of NAMMBA National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America). Other organizations she has worked with include the Spanish Coalition for Housing, West Cook Homeownership Center, YWCA, the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the North Riverside Library, Home Of Life Community Development Corporation and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated.

With volatile interest rates, every day feels uncertain for you and your buyers. The Federal Reserve just raised the Fed Funds rate and is expected to raise it again before the end of the year.

Although mortgage rates aren’t directly tied to the Fed’s move (mortgages are tied more closely to the 10-year treasury bond), mortgage rates usually drift in the direction that the Fed is expected to move. Today’s mortgage rates already reflect the move made by the Fed at the beginning of November, but rates might increase based on an anticipated December decision.

Even if buyers haven’t found their home, they can lock now with Key Mortgage Lock & Shop. By locking in the rate today, it secures the buyer’s buying power, takes the fear out of rising rates and motivates buyers to make a quick decision.

Lock now with Key Mortgage Lock & Shop:

  • Lock in a buyer’s buying power for up to 70 days (before finding a home)
  • Motivate buyers to buy quickly knowing they have a time limit
  • No property address required
  • Buyers can take advantage of lower rates if they become available
  • No additional costs
  • Conforming and FHA fixed rates

Buyers and clients can discuss this opportunity to lock in a rate before finding their dream home by speaking with a Key Mortgage loan officer today. Our team is ready to move quickly to ensure that buyers are protected from future short-term rate hikes.