Press Archives - Page 2 of 8 - Assurance Financial

Assurance Financial Expands with New Branches

in Texas, Florida, and Alabama

November 19, 2024

Baton Rouge, LA – November 19, 2024 – Assurance Financial is excited to announce the opening of three new branches in Texas, Florida, and Alabama, expanding their trusted mortgage solutions and personal service to reach more families and communities. Assurance Financial combines the personalized touch of a boutique mortgage institution with the resources and energy of a larger company. This streamlined structure offers loan officers direct access to leadership, allowing for seamless approvals and tailored solutions that meet clients’ unique needs. Assurance’s agility enables its team to serve clients efficiently, build strong relationships, and deliver a high level of personalized service. At Assurance Financial, loan officers are more than just employees—they’re valued partners with the opportunity to make a real impact. With this growth, Assurance Financial strengthens its commitment to delivering a smooth mortgage experience to even more homeowners and buyers. To lead these new branches, Assurance Financial has appointed talented mortgage professionals known for their dedication, expertise, and personalized approach to helping clients achieve their homeownership dreams:

Mike Turk, a Regional Manager in Texas, is passionate about helping clients make informed, stress-free decisions in the home-buying process. With over 30 years of experience in mortgage lending, Mike brings deep market knowledge and dedication to guiding clients through a seamless journey from application to close.
Bart Swan, an experienced VA Loan Officer, will bring Assurance Financial’s renowned service to the new Florida branch in Niceville, FL. With a background in serving veterans and military families, Bart offers a unique perspective on client needs. Known for his exceptional care and guidance, Bart is committed to making the homebuying process smooth and rewarding for each client.
Lori Harris will establish a new Alabama branch in Montgomery, AL, bringing extensive experience and enthusiasm to the Assurance Financial family. Known for her commitment to building meaningful client relationships and providing tailored solutions, Lori’s knowledge and dedication are an asset to the Alabama community.

“At Assurance Financial, we believe that buying a home should be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, not just a transaction,” said Kenny Hodges, CEO of Assurance Financial. “With our expansion into Texas, Florida, and Alabama, and the incredible expertise that Mike, Bart, and Lori bring, we’re thrilled to help more families find the right mortgage solutions with a personal touch. This growth represents our dedication to making homeownership accessible and seamless for even more people, and we’re excited to support these communities with the care they deserve.”

About Assurance Financial

Assurance Financial is a trusted mortgage lender offering a full range of loan products, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and construction loans. Known for exceptional service, competitive rates, and the latest mortgage technology, Assurance Financial’s mission is to make buying or refinancing a home as easy and rewarding as possible, from coast to coast.

Download the press release here. For media inquiries, please contact Marketing at marketing@assurancemortgage.com

Kenny Hodges, CEO of Assurance Financial, was recently featured in a National Mortgage News article, “’Be nimble’: Mortgage lenders, experts mull the Trump effect”, which explored how Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House could affect the mortgage industry.

Hodges noted the volatility ahead, suggesting that fluctuations in interest rates could represent “short-term pain for long-term gain” as the industry adapts to changes in economic policy. “That’s just going to be the price that we’re going to have to pay right now, and hopefully down the road, it puts more money in people’s pockets,” Hodges said.

As the mortgage industry anticipates regulatory shifts and market uncertainties, Assurance Financial is prepared to navigate these changes with agility, focusing on delivering value and opportunities for its clients and partners amidst evolving conditions.

Read the full article on National Mortgage News to learn more about industry perspectives on potential impacts of the 2024 election results.

Assurance Financial Names Jim Clapp
as Chief Lending Officer

October 3, 2024

Baton Rouge, LA – October 3, 2024 – Assurance Financial, a leading mortgage lending company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Clapp to the newly created role of Chief Lending Officer (CLO). With over 25 years of experience in the financial services and mortgage industries, Jim will lead Assurance Financial’s lending strategy, focusing on innovation, efficiency, and continued growth in mortgage services across the nation. In his new position, Jim will oversee the company’s strategic lending initiatives, and business development processes, ensuring that Assurance Financial continues to deliver personalized, streamlined lending solutions to its clients. His leadership will enhance the company’s competitive edge as it adapts to a dynamic mortgage market and implements innovative lending practices.

“We are excited to welcome Jim to our leadership team. His wealth of experience and strategic vision make him an invaluable addition,” said Kenny Hodges, CEO of Assurance Financial. “We are confident that under his leadership we will continue to expand our market presence and deliver exceptional value to our clients and partners.”

Prior to joining Assurance Financial, Jim held executive roles at several prominent mortgage and financial organizations, where he was responsible for strategic growth, risk management, and driving operational efficiency. His expertise in lending and leadership aligns perfectly with Assurance Financial’s mission to provide a superior mortgage experience that is client-focused and rooted in trust.

Jim Clapp’s appointment marks a significant step in Assurance Financial’s commitment to leadership excellence and future-focused lending strategies. The newly established Chief Lending Officer role reflects the company’s dedication to enhancing its service offerings and cementing its position as a leader in the mortgage industry.

For more information about Assurance Financial, please visit www.assurancemortgage.com.

About Assurance Financial

Assurance Financial is a full-service mortgage lender offering a variety of loan solutions for homeowners and homebuyers. With a mission to provide a simple and stress-free mortgage experience, Assurance Financial prides itself on providing customized loan options, superior customer service, and cutting-edge technology to meet the unique needs of each client. The company serves clients across the United States, offering a full range of mortgage products, including conventional loans, FHA loans, VA loans, and more.

Download the press release here. For media inquiries, please contact Lindsi Flynn, Director of Marketing at lflynn@assurancemortgage.com

Assurance Financial Awarded at Total Expert’s 2024 Accelerate Conference

July 5, 2024

We’re proud to announce that Assurance Financial has been recognized in two categories at Total Expert’s 2024 Accelerate conference.

The fourth annual Expy Awards celebrate Total Expert customers for their ability to surpass the limits of what is possible to provide unparalleled customer experiences and drive the financial services industry forward. Winners are chosen for their utilization of the platform to the highest extent to drive business growth and build authentic customer connections. This year’s winners were announced at Total Expert’s 2024 Accelerate Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where financial services leaders gathered to share winning strategies.

The Adopter: Without universal adoption, even the most innovative technology becomes shelfware. For Assurance Financial, the universal buy-in of the Total Expert platform into daily operations was a route to business growth and overall company success. They noted substantial increases in new loans, funded loans, email click-through rates, and task completion rates correlating to a growth in customer retention
Firestarter – Director of Marketing Lindsi Flynn: A user who embodies innovation, growth, and industry disruption within their organizations. Firestarters are at the forefront of driving positive change, sparking innovation, and propelling their companies toward a dynamic future.

“Our Expy Award-winners are some of the most forward-thinking organizations in the industry, empowering their workforce with the resources to meet growing customer expectations,” said Joe Welu, founder and CEO of Total Expert. “They are one step ahead of the industry—changing the way their teams leverage data by clearly recognizing customer needs, improving the decision-making process, and establishing more personalized customer journeys. We’re proud to celebrate their success and inspiring dedication to customer-centric innovation through Total Expert.” Learn more here.

Assurance Financial Ranks in Top for Customer Satisfaction in 2023

BATON ROUGE, LA – June 14, 2024

Assurance Financial is proud to announce that we have been named the #1 Mortgage Company in our small division category for the 2023 Top Performers in Customer Satisfaction!

We’re also pleased to announce that six of our originators have been placed in the country’s top 1% of Loan Officers for customer satisfaction.

Merrell Johnson of Columbia, SC, Micah Garrett of Troy, AL, Rob Stewart of Lafayette, LA, Lauren Tylock of Lafayette, LA, Matthew Hunter of Aiken, SC, Willie Tucker of Huntsville, AL

Amongst the multitude of reviews from over 50,000 loan officers representing hundreds of companies nationwide on the Experience.com platform, Assurance Financial stands proud of our loan officers for their role in elevating our standing.

“While it’s an honor to have earned the #1 overall ranking for customer satisfaction in the 2023 Experience.com small division category, it comes as no surprise to me. We have a seasoned team of Mortgage Loan Officers and the best fulfillment team in the business, who take great pride in delivering a ‘second to none’ experience for our clients. For nearly 25 years, our success has been built on sales and operations working together in the best interest of the customer,” Assurance Financial CEO, Kenny Hodges, said. “Receiving this recognition is a rewarding testament to our team’s dedication.”

According to Experience.com, the results are based on survey completion rates, the number of reviews, and the star ratings submitted to the platform by verified customers.

Read all of our reviews here.

Assurance Financial Announces Internal Promotions
to Drive Continued Growth and Excellence

November 27, 2023

Baton Rouge, LA – Assurance Financial, a leading provider of innovative mortgage solutions, is pleased to announce a series of internal promotions aimed at strengthening the company’s leadership team and supporting its commitment to excellence in the mortgage industry.

The following individuals have been promoted to key positions within the company:

Steve Ward has been promoted to President, Chief Operating Officer. In Steve’s expanded role as President, he will lead the day-to-day operations of the company, including Risk, Underwriting, Servicing, Post-Closing, Compliance, Licensing and Fulfillment.
Courtney Henson has been promoted to Chief Administrative Officer. In Courtney’s new role as CAO, the following departments will fall under her leadership: Human Resources, Marketing, IT, and Corporate Council.
Scott Alexander has been promoted to Chief Risk Officer. Scott’s essential job functions will include managing all company risk policies, as well as overseeing all company products and programs. He will also oversee the Underwriting, Compliance and Construction departments.

Kenny Hodges, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “These leadership changes reflect Assurance Financial’s commitment to deliver exceptional service, innovative solutions, and a best-in-class mortgage experience to the clients we serve.”