SPECIAL REPORT / HOT 100
Mark Maimon, VP of Residential Lending, Sterling National Bank Mark Maimon joined the mortgage industry in 2002 and quickly became a top producer. He’s been recognized as one of New York’s top originators, and as one of the top originators in the country every year since 2006.
Andrew Peters, CEO, First Guaranty Mortgage Corp. Andrew Peters isn’t afraid to stay on the cutting edge of technology to enhance his business. Under his leadership, First Guaranty has pumped up its wholesale channel with programs that track its third-party originators, ensuring the company recognition as one of the most tech-savvy lenders in the business. Peters is also an advocate of ‘common sense’ lending, urging originators to look beyond a customer’s FICO score before making a loan decision.
Heidi Frigano, EVP of Marketing and Business Development, United Northern Mortgage Bankers Melissa L. Walker, Training Manager, TruHome Solutions
Heidi Frigano has been a leader in the mortgage industry for more than a decade. As United Northern’s senior vice president of marketing, Frigano has developed innovative strategies that have revitalized the company’s branding and led it to become one of the nation’s top HECM lenders.
David Peskin, President, Reverse Mortgage Funding It’s been a little over a year since Reverse Mortgage Funding (RMF) started, and with the help of president David Peskin, the company has already earned its place as one of the top 10 producers in the industry. As chairman of Guardian Reverse Mortgage, Peskin transformed the operation to an efficient, scalable retail platform. He also grew Senior Lending Network to the largest independent reverse mortgage company through retail and wholesale. Peskin, who previously worked in the forward industry, said he made the transition after being inspired by the benefits the product offers to seniors. The reverse mortgage start-up based in New Jersey has raised about $230 million in a private offering managed by the investment banking boutique FBR Capital Markets. Rumored to be setting the stage for an initial public offering next year, RMF would be one of the first stand-alone publicly traded companies that specialize in reverse mortgages. 46 | DECEMBER 2014
Jonathan Scarpati, Vice President of Wholesale Lending, Urban Financial of America A 10-year industry veteran, Jonathan Scarpati took the reins as Urban Financial of America’s vice president of wholesale production earlier this year. Before stepping into that role, Scarpati was UFA’s top-producing account executives for three years running. “Jonathan’s business acumen and leadership skills are equaled by his focus on customer service,” says UFA chief sales officer Sherry Apanay.
After owning her own brokerage for more than a decade, Walker – a 25+-year industry veteran – went on to work on the wholesale side of the industry with large companies like Bank of America and GMAC. Often sought out for her industry expertise, she’s testified as an expert witness and is a frequent speaker at industry compliance and training events. She’s also served on the advisory council for Fannie Mae’s Partnership Office and Task Force for Unscrupulous Lending, and has been recognized as one of the nation’s most influential mortgage professionals. Walker recently published a book, 101 Fast Fixes to Boost Your Credit Score.
Greg Gale, Vice President and Branch Manager, NOVA Home Loans Greg Gale’s innovative use of video marketing has made him one of the top loan officers in Arizona. Gale sends out videos to introduce himself to each of his customers, sends videos to listing agents when his buyer agents send offers, and sends video updates throughout the loan process and after closing. Gale’s use of video gives his customers and referral partners tangible, easy-to-understand explanations of the loan process – and makes him more memorable in the process.