Category: Press
Assurance Financial Ranked No. 85 Among Louisiana’s Top 100 Private Companies
BATON ROUGE, LA, UNITED STATES, June 24, 2026 | EINPresswire.com
Assurance Financial, a leading full-service residential mortgage lender, is proud to announce that it has been named No. 85 for Business Report’s Top 100 Private Companies in Louisiana for 2025.
The Top 100 Private Companies ranking recognizes the largest privately held businesses based on annual revenue. Compiled by Business Report, the list is developed through extensive research that includes company outreach, industry databases, public records and trusted business sources to verify or estimate each company’s most recent fiscal-year revenue. The rankings reflect a comprehensive evaluation process designed to identify Louisiana’s leading private companies and provide a reliable snapshot of the state’s business landscape.
“Being recognized among Louisiana’s Top 100 Private Companies is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the dedication, hard work and integrity of our entire team,” said Kenny Hodges, president and chief executive officer of Assurance Financial. “For more than two decades, we’ve remained committed to helping families achieve homeownership while building a company rooted in strong relationships, exceptional service and sustainable growth. This recognition reflects the trust our customers, business partners and communities place in us every day, and we’re grateful to everyone who has contributed to our continued success.”
The recognition further reinforces Assurance Financial’s position as one of Louisiana’s leading private companies and reflects the organization’s continued growth, financial strength and commitment to serving customers with excellence. As the company continues to expand its reach, Assurance Financial remains dedicated to helping more families achieve homeownership while creating a lasting impact in the communities it serves.
About Assurance Financial
Assurance Financial is a full-service residential mortgage lender dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve homeownership through personalized lending solutions and exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the company serves communities across the United States through a network of experienced mortgage professionals committed to delivering a seamless and supportive home financing experience.
Media Contact
Jessica Thames
Assurance Financial
jthames@assurancemortgage.com
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Matthew Hunter of Aiken, South Carolina, has been named among Experience.com’s Top 100 Mortgage Loan Officers for Customer Satisfaction in 2025
Aiken, SC, June 24, 2026
Assurance Financial is proud to announce that Matthew Hunter, branch manager of its Aiken, South Carolina, office, has been named to Experience.com’s Top 100 Mortgage Loan Officers for Customer Satisfaction in 2025.
Hunter earned the recognition among more than 50,000 mortgage loan officers representing hundreds of companies nationwide on the Experience.com platform.
Licensed through the National Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, Hunter serves homebuyers in South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina. Whether assisting first-time homebuyers, guiding clients through a refinance or helping families finance the construction of a new home, Hunter is committed to helping borrowers at every stage of life achieve their homeownership goals.
This marks Hunter’s second consecutive year being named to Experience.com’s Top 100 Mortgage Loan Officers for Customer Satisfaction, having also earned the recognition in 2024. In 2023, he was recognized as a Top 1% Performer in Customer Satisfaction, underscoring his longstanding commitment to delivering an exceptional client experience.
“It was truly a no-hassle experience. Matt and his staff were very helpful in making sure it was stress free and were always able to answer all my questions in a timely manner,” said Shiela D. of Aiken, South Carolina. “Would definitely recommend and would certainly use again if the need arises.”
“At Assurance Financial, we want to go the extra mile for every one of our clients. That’s the whole idea of being Boutique Built,” said Hunter. “We believe everyone deserves a concierge-level transaction and strive to provide a five-star experience every time.”
Assurance Financial is grateful for Hunter’s commitment to serving customers with excellence. Building meaningful relationships is at the heart of who we are as an organization, and we are proud of Matthew’s dedication and grateful for the trust our customers place in us every day.
About Assurance Financial
Assurance Financial is a full-service residential mortgage lender headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, licensed in over 45 states. The company provides a wide range of home loan solutions, from conventional mortgages to FHA, VA, USDA, and jumbo loans, supported by innovative technology and a people-first approach.
Media Contact
Jessica Thames
Assurance Financial
jthames@assurancemortgage.com
Bart Swan Named Among Experience.com’s Top 100 Mortgage Loan Officers for Customer Satisfaction in 2025
NICEVILLE, FL, June 24, 2026
Assurance Financial is proud to announce that Bart Swan, Branch Manager of its Niceville, Florida, office, has been named to Experience.com’s Top 100 Mortgage Loan Officers for Customer Satisfaction in 2025.
Swan earned the recognition among more than 50,000 mortgage loan officers representing hundreds of companies nationwide on the Experience.com platform.
Specializing in VA home loans, Swan serves military veterans and active-duty service members throughout Northwest Florida. He takes an educational, straightforward approach to lending and believes homebuyers make better decisions when they fully understand their options. His focus on transparency and proactive communication helps clients avoid common obstacles that can delay or derail the mortgage process.
“Working with Bart was an excellent experience from start to finish,” said Jill L. of Crestview, Florida. “Communication was clear, consistent and timely throughout the entire process. Both my client and I always knew exactly where we stood, which made the transaction smooth and stress-free. I highly recommend Bart to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and reliable loan officer.
Licensed in Florida and Alabama, Swan is known for his responsiveness, steady problem-solving approach and ability to navigate complex transactions with multiple moving parts. His goal is to help homebuyers make informed mortgage decisions and achieve homeownership with as little stress as possible.
“I’m honored to be recognized as one of Experience.com’s Top 100 Loan Officers in Customer Satisfaction for 2025,” said Swan. “The mortgage process can feel overwhelming, and I’ve always believed my job is to make it simpler by communicating clearly, educating clients, and being available when they need answers. This recognition belongs as much to my clients and referral partners as it does to me. I’m thankful for the trust they’ve placed in me and humbled that so many took the time to share their experiences.”
“Bart’s recognition reflects the exceptional care and service he provides to every client,” said Kenny Hodges, CEO of Assurance Financial. “Building meaningful relationships is at the heart of who we do, and we are grateful for Bart’s dedication and for the trust our customers place in us every day.”
About Assurance Financial
Assurance Financial is a full-service residential mortgage lender headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, licensed in over 45 states. The company provides a wide range of home loan solutions, from conventional mortgages to FHA, VA, USDA, and jumbo loans, supported by innovative technology and a people-first approach.
Media Contact
Jessica Thames
Assurance Financial
jthames@assurancemortgage.com
Assurance Financial Awarded #1 Mortgage Company, Large Division, for 2025 Top Performers in Customer Satisfaction Awards
BATON ROUGE, LA, UNITED STATES, June 24, 2026
Assurance Financial is proud to announce that it has been named the No. 1 Top Mortgage Company in the Large Division in Experience.com’s prestigious 2025 Top Performers in Customer Satisfaction Awards.
The annual Top Performers Awards recognize mortgage companies and professionals across the country that consistently deliver exceptional borrower experiences. Unlike many industry awards, Experience.com’s rankings are based on verified customer feedback and performance data collected throughout the mortgage process. Companies and individuals are evaluated using a proprietary methodology that considers customer satisfaction ratings, survey completion rates, review volume and overall borrower engagement.
The Large Division category recognizes mortgage companies that distribute between 2,000 and 7,500 customer surveys annually. Among the top-performing organizations in this division, the average customer satisfaction rating was 4.93 out of 5.00, with an average survey response rate of 51.81% and 2,844 completed customer surveys. Within this highly competitive field, Assurance Financial earned the highest overall ranking, securing the No. 1 position nationwide.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from the customers we have the privilege of serving,” said Kenny Hodges, president and chief executive officer of Assurance Financial. “Every day, our team works to provide a mortgage experience built on trust, communication and personalized service. To be recognized as the No. 1 mortgage company in customer satisfaction among so many outstanding organizations is both humbling and rewarding. This achievement belongs to our employees, who consistently go above and beyond for our customers, and to the families who place their trust in us during one of the most important financial decisions of their lives.”
Experience.com’s Top Performers Awards are widely regarded as one of the mortgage industry’s most respected customer experience recognitions because winners are selected based on real-world performance data rather than nominations or panel judging. To qualify, companies and loan officers must meet rigorous benchmarks that include closing a significant volume of mortgage loans, maintaining outstanding customer satisfaction ratings and generating a substantial number of verified customer reviews.
For Assurance Financial, the award reflects a long-standing commitment to putting customers first at every stage of the home financing journey. From first-time homebuyers to experienced homeowners refinancing or purchasing investment properties, the company strives to deliver a transparent, responsive and supportive experience that helps borrowers feel confident throughout the lending process.
In addition to the companywide recognition, several Assurance Financial loan officers were honored for their individual commitment to customer service excellence.
Among more than 50,000 loan officers representing hundreds of mortgage companies nationwide on the Experience.com platform, Bart Swan of Niceville, Florida, and Matthew Hunter of Aiken, South Carolina, were named to Experience.com’s Top 100 Mortgage Loan Officers for Customer Satisfaction in 2025. Assurance Financial also proudly recognizes the following loan officers as Top Performers in Customer Satisfaction for 2025:
• Barbara Gaston – Florence, Alabama
• Damian Cook – Atlanta, Georgia
• Joey Brodtman – West Monroe, Louisiana
• Lauren Tylock – Lafayette, Louisiana
• Micah Garrett – Troy, Alabama
• PJ Tavernit – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Ransom Kelly – Homewood, Alabama
• Rutherford Yeates – Birmingham, Alabama
• Willie Tucker – Huntsville and Florence, Alabama
“To have so many of our loan officers recognized on a national stage is incredibly rewarding,” Hodges added. “These professionals embody our commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience. Their dedication to serving families, building lasting relationships and guiding borrowers through the mortgage process is at the heart of who we are as an organization. We are proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the trust our customers place in us every day.”
The recognition further reinforces Assurance Financial’s reputation as a customer-focused lender and highlights the company’s continued investment in creating exceptional experiences for homebuyers across the Southeast and beyond. As the mortgage industry continues to evolve, Assurance Financial remains committed to combining innovative lending solutions with personalized service to help more families achieve the dream of homeownership.
About Assurance Financial
Assurance Financial is a full-service residential mortgage lender dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve homeownership through personalized lending solutions and exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the company serves communities across the United States through a network of experienced mortgage professionals committed to delivering a seamless and supportive home financing experience.
Media Contact
Jessica Thames
Director of Marketing, Assurance Financial
jthames@assurancemortgage.com
Assurance Financial is proud to share that Director of Marketing, Jessica Thames, was recently featured on the Content Amplified Podcast, where she joined host Benjamin Ard to discuss how personalized customer journeys are transforming modern marketing.
In an industry where consumers are constantly inundated with emails, texts, and notifications, Thames addressed one of today’s biggest challenges: how to cut through the noise and create meaningful connections. Her answer isn’t simply producing more content—it’s delivering smarter, more timely communication.
Drawing from both her early beginnings and her current leadership role, Thames shared how her approach to marketing has evolved into a strategy rooted in relevance, timing, and human connection. At Assurance Financial, her team leverages technology, AI, and CRM data to build highly personalized customer journeys—often numbering in the thousands—based on real-life milestones such as marriage, growing families, or changes in financial circumstances.
The goal is simple but powerful: create scalable marketing that still feels personal.
Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all messaging, Thames emphasized the importance of delivering the right message at the right moment. These journeys are designed not only to automate communication, but also to prompt meaningful human interaction. When key life events occur, loan originators are encouraged to connect directly with clients, ensuring that technology enhances—not replaces—the relationship.
“Relevance cuts through noise,” Thames shared during the episode. “When a message is timely and meaningful, it doesn’t feel like marketing—it feels like service.”
Her insights highlight Assurance Financial’s commitment to innovation while staying grounded in its people-first philosophy. By blending advanced marketing strategies with genuine human connection, Thames and her team continue to empower loan originators to better serve their clients and build lasting relationships.
This feature reflects Assurance Financial’s ongoing investment in forward-thinking marketing strategies that support both its team members and the communities they serve.
Home Loans with Heart
Matthew Hunter at Assurance Financial Brings Boutique Service and Big Company Strength to Aiken
Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Rebecca Judy
Originally published in Aiken City Lifestyle
Matthew Hunter’s path to becoming Aiken’s most trusted mortgage professional was anything but predictable. His journey began far from the world of home loans, rooted instead in chemical equations and engineering plans. A 1991 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Hunter earned degrees in chemical engineering and biochemistry before moving south to begin a career as an environmental engineer. He spent eight years working at the Savannah River Site, driven by the idealism that defines so many young engineers, a desire to make a difference and change the world.
But he soon learned that big systems are slow to change. “I had some ideas I really believed in,” he recalls, “but I kept running into walls.” Frustrated and searching for a new direction, Hunter found himself at a crossroads. Around that time, his wife, Kristi, had completed medical school in Charleston and received a residency in Augusta. The couple moved to North Augusta to begin a new chapter.
Kristi’s medical career was taking off, and Hunter, eager to spend time with their boys, decided to step away from engineering and take on the role of stay-at-home dad with their move to Eatonton GA. The plan sounded simple enough until reality set in. “That lasted about six months,” he says with a laugh. “Kristi came home one evening after a long shift, and the house was a disaster. The boys and I had a great day, but there was no dinner on the table and no groceries in the fridge. She looked at me and said, “You have got to get a job.’”
As fate would have it, his mother had started Hunter Mortgage Inc. in Aiken and happened to need help at the office. It seemed like a temporary arrangement at the time, but that decision would launch a career that’s now spanned over 25 years. He spent his time learning all the ropes of the industry and how to treat his clients with dignity and respect.
The early 2000s brought a refinancing boom, and the office was busier than ever. Hunter began splitting his time between Georgia and Aiken, commuting several days a week to lend a hand. A few days turned into a full week, and before long, the Hunter family moved back to Aiken permanently. “It wasn’t a path I planned,” he admits, “but looking back, it was exactly where we were supposed to end up.”
At Hunter Mortgage, Hunter discovered that the skills he had honed as an engineer, precision, problem-solving and attention to detail, translated perfectly into the mortgage world. But what truly drew him in wasn’t the numbers or the paperwork; it was the people. He realized he loved helping clients navigate one of the most significant decisions of their lives. “I’ve always seen this job as a vocation, not just an occupation,” he says.
For Hunter, the most rewarding moments come when first-time homebuyers walk into their new homes. He takes pride in making the process less intimidating. “I love working with people who’ve never bought a house before,” he explains. “You can see the anxiety at the start, but when they sign those papers and get their keys, that joy is contagious. It’s fulfilling every single time.”
Eventually, the family business began to wind down. His parents, Al and Beverlie, who had both poured their lives into Hunter Mortgage, were ready to slow down. His father, an accountant who had spent his career at Westinghouse before joining the family firm, handled payroll and reporting while his mother led the way and set the standard for taking care of all of her clients. “They were dedicated to the end, but it was time for them to be able to step back and enjoy all of their hard work.” What followed was a change in direction for the business.
That change came through an unexpected connection. One of Kristi’s patients mentioned that her husband worked for Assurance Financial in Columbia. A conversation turned into an introduction, and soon Hunter connected with the company’s leadership team. The more he learned, the more he felt it was the right move. “It just happened organically,” he says. “Assurance had the resources and infrastructure to handle all the back-office work so I could focus on what I love most, helping people.”
Assurance Financial, a company that was boutique-built and enterprise-backed, offered exactly what Hunter had been looking for. The firm operates with the personal, concierge-style service of a boutique lender where every client feels known and supported but with the strength, technology and resources of a large financial institution. “It’s truly the best of both worlds,” Hunter explains. “We can deliver that small-town level of care and attention that Aiken deserves while having the backing of a big corporate company that gives our clients confidence and security.”
Hunter leads his office with the same warmth and integrity that has defined his entire career. At his side is Kayla, an exceptional assistant who keeps the office running seamlessly “Kayla’s amazing,” Hunter says. “She keeps everything on track and makes sure our clients always feel supported.”
Of course, no visit to Hunter’s office at Assurance Financial would be complete without greeting his two loyal golden retrievers, Loki and Bowie. The friendly pair are beloved by clients, often lounging by the door or wagging their tails to welcome visitors. “They’re part of the family,” Hunter says. “People will drop by just to say hi to them.”
Matthew’s story is one of perseverance and finding fulfillment in unexpected places. From environmental engineer to trusted mortgage professional, his journey reflects a belief that the best careers aren’t always planned; they’re built on passion, relationships and faith.