Proficio Mortgage Ventures, which ranks No. 7 nationwide for reverse mortgage volume, is expanding its reverse retail division with the addition of six new team members. In doing so, the lender is “doubling down” on its commitment to grow market share.
“We’re looking to ramp up [reverse mortgage lending] moving into the middle part of this year, and grabbing more market share,” says Jesse Brewer, sales manager for the Consumer Direct Reverse Mortgage Division, Proficio’s retail channel. “This is a product that Proficio is committed to, so we’re doubling down our efforts to crack that top-five share.”
The Orlando, Florida-based company recently announced the expansion of its Consumer Direct division with the hiring of six new loan officers: Kimberly Hall, Jennifer Tumbarello, Curt Shinn, Jack Nicholas, Sennait Melakberhan and Sommer Blenden.
Though Proficio has previously benefited from hiring experienced mortgage professionals, Brewer says this time around they wanted to hire people who didn’t have prior reverse mortgage experience.
“We went with folks that don’t have industry experience; we think a bit differently with the Consumer Direct division,” he says. “What we were really looking for in our recruits was a demonstrated ability to connect with people.”
He adds that Proficio sought candidates from various backgrounds who would be able to articulate the value of a reverse mortgage to a broad demographic — from homeowners with a pressing financial need to those looking to shore up quick access to funds for potential needs down the road.
In 2012, Proficio made a major play in the reverse mortgage space with the hire of more than 100 former First National Bank of Layton call center originators. Later, the company added a boots-on-the-ground network to bolster its production and expand its presence nationwide.
Written by Emily Study
