Category: Press
Assurance Financial Featured on The Mortgage Note Podcast: Empowering LOs and Celebrating 25 Years
July 6, 2026 | The Mortgage Note
As Assurance Financial celebrates 25 years in business, Chief Lending Officer Jim Clapp joined The Mortgage Note Editor Kimberley Haas to discuss the company’s continued growth, evolving mortgage technology, and commitment to delivering a personalized lending experience.
During the conversation, Clapp shared what sets Assurance Financial apart in an increasingly competitive mortgage industry. While many lenders have grown beyond their ability to provide personal service, Assurance Financial continues to prioritize the relationships and flexibility that define its boutique approach.
“We have carved out a space for Assurance, which is this billion dollar, billion dollar plus spot, where we think we are more nimble and we can offer the best of both worlds,” Clapp explained.
Clapp also discussed how Assurance Financial is leveraging automation and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and enhance the customer experience.
One example is Ava, the company’s automated intelligence assistant, which helps connect prospective borrowers with loan officers and supports a more responsive lending process.
Clapp emphasized that technology should empower loan officers, not replace the personal relationships that remain central to the mortgage experience.
As Assurance Financial marks its 25th anniversary, Clapp expressed optimism about the company’s future and the opportunities ahead.
“In the mortgage business, I think people want to feel like they’re part of a growing company, and it’s fun when it does grow, and people are part of that, and they feel like they’re part of helping move the company to a different plateau. So that’s what excites me, growing and doing it smartly.”
Watch the full interview below to hear more about Assurance Financial’s approach to innovation, company culture, and the future of mortgage lending.
Assurance Financial Named One of Baton Rouge’s Best Places to Work for 2026
Employee-driven recognition celebrates the mortgage lender’s commitment to workplace culture, collaboration and a people-first approach
Baton Rouge, LA | October 13, 2026 | EINNews.com
Assurance Financial is proud to announce that it has been named one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Baton Rouge by Greater Baton Rouge Business Report.
The annual awards program, presented by Greater Baton Rouge Business Report in partnership with Greater Baton Rouge SHRM and Best Companies Group, recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence in workplace culture, employee satisfaction and organizational practices.
This recognition is particularly meaningful because about 75% of the evaluation is based on employee feedback, directly reflecting the experiences and perspectives of the people who make up the organization.
“When we founded Assurance Financial 25 years ago, our goal was to build more than a successful mortgage company. We wanted to create a place where people genuinely enjoy coming to work, feel valued and have the opportunity to build rewarding careers,” said Kenny Hodges, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Assurance Financial. “To receive this recognition based on feedback from our own employees is incredibly meaningful. It tells us that the culture we’ve worked so hard to build is something our people believe in, and that’s an accomplishment I’m especially proud of.”
Founded in Baton Rouge in 2001, Assurance Financial has grown from its Louisiana roots into a mortgage lender serving communities across the country. Throughout that growth, the company has remained committed to maintaining a collaborative, people-first culture where employees are supported, achievements are celebrated and teamwork drives success.
The Best Places to Work program evaluates participating organizations through a two-part assessment. Workplace policies, practices and demographics account for approximately 25% of the overall score, while confidential employee surveys measuring workplace experiences make up the remaining 75%. The combined results determine which organizations earn recognition as the region’s best employers.
“Great company culture isn’t something you can create with a mission statement or a set of core values alone. It’s built through the way people treat each other, support one another and show up for their teams every day,” said Steve Ward, President of Assurance Financial. “This award belongs to our employees. They’re the reason Assurance is such a special place to work, not just here in Baton Rouge, but throughout our entire organization. We’re incredibly grateful for the people who make this company what it is.”
For Assurance Financial, the recognition reinforces a longstanding belief that investing in employees creates a stronger organization, benefiting not only its team members but also the homebuyers, homeowners and communities they serve.
As the company continues to grow, Assurance Financial remains focused on preserving the culture that has defined the organization for 25 years while creating new opportunities for employees and loan originators across the country.
The 2026 Best Places to Work in Baton Rouge honorees were recognized at an awards event on October 6, 2026.
About Assurance Financial
Founded in 2001, Assurance Financial is a full-service residential mortgage lender headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With licensed loan officers across the country, Assurance Financial offers a wide range of mortgage products and financing solutions designed to help individuals and families achieve their homeownership goals. The company is committed to delivering exceptional customer service, innovative lending solutions, and a supportive workplace culture that empowers its employees to succeed.
Media Contact
Jessica Thames
Director of Marketing
Assurance Financial
[email protected]
859.539.5953
Assurance Financial Featured on The Mortgage Note Podcast: Balancing Technology and Personal Connections
September 29, 2026 | The Mortgage Note
Assurance Financial’s Director of Marketing, Jessica Thames, recently joined The Mortgage Note podcast to discuss the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the mortgage industry and why personal relationships remain essential.
“The home purchase process, whether it’s your first time buying or it’s your 15th investment property or 10th refinance, whatever phase that you are in, having an originator to pick up the phone, and again, not being sent to an AI queue, is important,” Jessica shared.
Throughout the conversation, Jessica highlights how Assurance Financial invests in technology, marketing tools, and innovative resources to support loan officers and simplify the mortgage experience, while keeping personal connections at the center of the homebuying journey.
Watch the full podcast interview below.
Assurance Cares, the nonprofit foundation of Assurance Financial, was featured on WBRZ’s 2une In morning show to spotlight its Serve for St. Jude Pickleball Social in Baton Rouge. The segment highlighted the community fundraising event benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Assurance Cares’ commitment to giving back.
Assurance Financial Welcomes Greg Incardona and Team to New Greensburg, Pennsylvania Branch
Experienced Western Pennsylvania mortgage team joins Assurance Financial as the company continues its expansion in the Northeast
Baton Rouge, LA | October 01, 2026 | EINNews.com
Assurance Financial, a full-service residential mortgage lender headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is pleased to announce the addition of Greg Incardona (NMLS #136855) and his experienced mortgage origination team to the company’s growing network of branches.
Led by Incardona as Regional Manager, the new Assurance Financial office is located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The team serves homebuyers and homeowners throughout Pennsylvania, as well as additional markets including Florida and Ohio.
Joining Incardona at Assurance Financial are Louis Incardona, Loan Originator (NMLS #1751149); Brandon Tingle, Loan Originator (NMLS #1026820); Jennifer Novak, Loan Originator Assistant; and Addison Johnson, Loan Originator Assistant.
“What attracted our team to Assurance Financial is the ability to maintain a personal, local approach while gaining the products, technology, operational support and resources of a larger organization,” stated Greg Incardona.
Incardona brings decades of experience in banking, mortgage lending and financial services. His career in the financial services industry began in 1988 and has included experience in banking leadership, branch management, mortgage origination, insurance and financial services. Throughout his career, Incardona has built his business around strong client relationships, industry expertise and a commitment to the communities he serves.
“Growth at Assurance has always been about finding the right people, not simply adding locations,” said Kenny Hodges, CEO and Co-Founder of Assurance Financial. “Greg and his team have built their business on relationships, trust and taking great care of their clients. Those values align closely with who we are at Assurance, and we are excited to welcome them as we continue expanding our presence in Pennsylvania and throughout the Northeast.”
The addition of the Greensburg team also gives Incardona and his Loan Originators access to the operational infrastructure, technology and product offerings of a national mortgage company while maintaining the personal approach that has helped them build strong relationships within their local markets.
“One of our priorities is making sure our Loan Originators have the support they need to focus on what they do best: building relationships and serving their clients,” said Steve Ward, President of Assurance Financial. “Greg and his team already have a strong foundation and reputation in their markets. Our role is to provide the operational support, technology and resources that help them build on that success and continue growing.”
Founded in 2001, Assurance Financial combines the resources and capabilities of a national mortgage lender with personalized service at the local level. The company provides a broad range of residential financing options, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, construction, renovation and non-QM lending, along with financing solutions for first-time homebuyers, investors and borrowers with a variety of homeownership goals.
Assurance Financial manages the mortgage process in-house, from application through servicing, allowing its Loan Originators to provide clients and referral partners with greater continuity throughout the lending experience.
“Greg and his team bring exactly the kind of experience, local market knowledge and relationship-driven approach we look for as Assurance continues to grow,” said Jim Clapp, Chief Lending Officer at Assurance Financial. “They understand their markets, they know how to take care of their customers and referral partners, and they have an established team that works well together. We’re looking forward to pairing what they’ve already built with the lending platform and resources available at Assurance.”
For Incardona, joining Assurance Financial provides an opportunity to expand what his team can offer while continuing to operate with the relationship-focused approach that has defined his career.
“For me, this business has always been about relationships,” said Incardona. “I’ve spent my career helping people understand their options, navigate major financial decisions and ultimately achieve their homeownership goals. What attracted our team to Assurance Financial was the ability to maintain that personal, local approach while gaining the products, technology, operational support and resources of a larger organization. We’re excited about what that combination will allow us to do for our clients, referral partners and communities.”
The Greensburg branch represents another step in Assurance Financial’s continued national growth and strengthens the company’s presence in Pennsylvania and throughout the Northeast.
About Assurance Financial
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Assurance Financial is a full-service residential mortgage lender committed to helping individuals and families achieve their homeownership goals. The company offers a wide range of home financing solutions, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, construction, renovation and specialty loan programs.
Assurance Financial combines innovative mortgage technology and in-house operations with the personalized service of local Loan Originators and branches across the country.
Media Contact
Jessica Thames
Assurance Financial
[email protected]
Assurance Financial Launches Assurance Cares to Expand Its Commitment to Communities Nationwide
New nonprofit builds on the company’s long-standing culture of giving back and supporting causes that matter to employees, clients and communities across the country
Baton Rouge, LA | August 18, 2026 | EINNews.com
Assurance Financial, a nationwide mortgage lender, today announced the launch of Assurance Cares, a nonprofit organization created to build upon the company’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy and expand its impact in communities across the country.
For Assurance Financial, giving back is not a new initiative – it has long been an important part of the company’s culture. From companywide fundraising campaigns to branch-led events supporting local organizations, Assurance employees have a history of rallying around causes that make a meaningful difference in the communities where they live and work.
Assurance Cares provides an opportunity to bring those efforts together under one mission, creating an even stronger foundation for the company, its employees and its branches to serve communities nationwide.
“I hope assurance cares is just a continuation of what we’ve been doing for the last 25 years” said Kenny Hodges, CEO & Co-Founder of Assurance Financial. “We’ve donated our time talent and treasure from all our branches and markets we operate in… and I hope that’s a continuation of what Assurance Cares becomes, but on a bigger scale.”
One of Assurance Financial’s longest-standing philanthropic relationships is with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Throughout the partnership, Assurance has contributed nearly $800,000 in support of St. Jude and its mission.
That support takes many forms. Each September, Assurance Financial holds its companywide Apps for Kids campaign, donating $50 to St. Jude for every mortgage application received during the month. Employees and branches also participate in annual St. Jude Walk/Run events, while the company’s annual Serve for St. Jude pickleball event brings employees, partners and community members together to raise additional funds for the organization.
But the spirit of giving at Assurance reaches far beyond any single organization or cause.
Across the country, Assurance Financial branches and employees have built relationships with organizations addressing needs ranging from veteran services and pediatric healthcare to domestic violence prevention, family support and access to basic necessities.
In South Carolina, Assurance employees have supported Fisher House, which provides support and accommodations to military and veteran families, as well as the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The company’s Columbia team has also supported the Cola Rosé Shower, a community initiative that has collected more than 100,000 feminine hygiene products for Sistercare and The Period Project, including enough donations to help supply Sistercare for approximately eight months.
In Aiken, South Carolina, employees have supported The Overflow Foundation, an organization focused on investing in and strengthening its local community.
In Louisiana, Assurance employees have supported organizations including Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital through an annual toy drive and Maddie’s Footprints, which provides support to families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. Assurance’s Lafayette team participates in an annual 5K benefiting the organization.
Employees have also rallied behind the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, participating in fundraising and walk events supporting the organization’s work.
These efforts represent only a portion of the charitable work happening throughout Assurance Financial.
At the heart of Assurance Cares is a belief that meaningful community involvement happens both collectively and locally. While companywide initiatives allow Assurance employees across the country to unite behind shared causes, local branches are also encouraged to identify and support organizations that are meaningful within their own communities.
“For 25 years this group of kind, generous employees have been giving,” shared Steve Ward, who serves as President of Assurance Financial and the Assurance Cares organization. “This is truly just a reflection of our individuals at Assurance Financial. I think this says less about the company and more about all of our kind, generous people.”
The launch of Assurance Cares creates a platform to continue growing that culture of service – bringing employees, partners and communities together while expanding the reach and impact of the charitable work already taking place throughout the organization.
Whether it is helping families facing childhood illness, supporting veterans, providing resources to women in need, assisting families during times of loss or rallying behind a local organization important to an Assurance branch, the mission is the same: to strengthen the communities Assurance Financial is proud to call home.
“Giving back” has long been more than a phrase at Assurance Financial. Through Assurance Cares, the company is building on that legacy and creating new opportunities to make a difference – one community at a time.
About Assurance Cares
Assurance Cares is the nonprofit organization of Assurance Financial, created to support charitable organizations and community initiatives across the country. Building on Assurance Financial’s long history of philanthropy, Assurance Cares brings together companywide initiatives, employee involvement and local community partnerships with a shared goal of making a meaningful difference in the communities Assurance serves.
About Assurance Financial
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Assurance Financial is a full-service residential mortgage lender committed to helping individuals and families achieve their homeownership goals. The company offers a wide range of home financing solutions, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, construction and renovation loans, supported by innovative technology and personalized service.
At Assurance Financial, relationships come first. The company combines the resources and capabilities of a national mortgage lender with the personal service and local expertise of its loan officers and branches across the country. That people-first philosophy extends beyond mortgage lending through a strong culture of giving back and investing in the communities Assurance serves.
Media Contact
Jessica Thames
Director of Marketing
Assurance Financial
[email protected]
859.539.5953