Industry Watch: New American Funding acquires DKMC and more

New American Funding (NAF) has announced its acquisition of Draper and Kramer Mortgage Corp. (DKMC). Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions has announced the launch of the Angel Oak Bank Statement Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) solution, allowing self-employed homeowners to tap into their home equity while retaining their first mortgage. This offering, which qualifies borrowers […]

Notable mortgage industry additions and promotions, Jan. 29-Feb. 2

Rocket Companies has announced that Alex Rampell has been appointed as an independent director to the company’s board of directors. Rampell, co-founder of Affirm and TrialPay, currently serves as General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, focusing on fintech investments. A&D Mortgage has announced the hiring of Tommy Williams, Betsy Marvin and Lori Welton as account executives. […]

Retail properties settle into a period of stabilization

Retail real estate has seemingly been in a state of flux since its origins. Main Street gave way to the strip center, which turned into the indoor mall and eventually pivoted to the power center.  Over the past 20 years, the rise of e-commerce placed the entire bricks-and-mortar retail industry into question as words such […]

International Investments: Spain

In the past year as international interest in U.S. commercial real estate waned, Spanish investors were bucking the trend and spending lavishly. Top investment companies from the western European country made head-spinning forays into the U.S. property market during 2022 and 2023. Known as a top tourist destination because of its warm climate, sandy beaches, […]

Will the market avoid the worst of the looming refinance crisis?

For much of 2023, there was increased chatter about the latest possible cataclysm to upend commercial real estate, commonly known as the “wall of maturities.” A flood of articles have described the apocalyptic impact of trillions of dollars of mortgages that are scheduled to come due and need to be refinanced in the next few […]

Top Dollar Volume

Top FHA Volume

Top HELOC Volume

Most Loans Closed

Top Mortgage Brokers

Top Non-QM Volume

Top Purchase Volume

Top Refinance Volume

Top USDA Volume

Top VA Volume

Top Veteran Originators

Top Jumbo Originators

For Top Originators rankings going back to 2010, see the April editions of the magazine in our digital magazine library

Top Women Originators

Top Overall

Top Wholesale

Top Retail

Top Non-QM

Top FHA

Top VA

Top Correspondent

Top Bank Statement

Top DSCR

For Top Mortgage Lenders rankings going back to 2010, see the June editions of the magazine in our digital magazine library

Lauren Robert | 35

Leader Bank

Arlington, Massachusetts

5 years in business

In 2023, Lauren helped launch Leader Bank’s Cape Cod Mortgage Office, growing the team from #11 to #2 Purchase Lender. Her volume rose over 40% to $40M in 2025. She’s built a thriving business, a new loan office, and raised three kids. She is a rock star!

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