No list of the housing industry’s biggest and most influential leaders would be complete without the person in charge of one of the nation’s largest mortgage lenders: Quicken Loans CEO Jay Farner.
Farner took over as CEO in February 2017 after Bill Emerson was elevated to vice chairman of Rock Holdings, Quicken Loans’ parent company.
In his previous roles, Farner was influential in the company’s technology growth, helping usher in the release of Rocket Mortgage, which turbocharged both the company’s business and the mortgage industry itself.
As CEO, Farner continued the company’s focus on technology and on marketing, which enabled Quicken to become the country’s largest retail mortgage lender at the end of his first year in charge.
Farner has also driven the company’s growth in its purchase business. According to the company, if Quicken Loans only originated purchase loans, the company would still be a top-five mortgage lender when compared to the total volume of other retail lenders.
Under Farner’s leadership, in the past year Quicken Loans’ extended retail arm doubled its market share among those who work with credit unions, regional banks and mortgage brokers. The company said that this growth is due to its competitive pricing, superior technology and award-winning process.
And the company expects all of that growth to continue into perpetuity.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Always take on new opportunities without hesitation even though the outcomes are unknown or uncertain.”
