Each year, Inc. magazine releases its list of the top 500 growing companies in the United States. The prestigious Inc. 500 list is published annually and recognizes those private U.S. corporations who have experienced significant expansion and growth over the past year. In 2011, a number of mortgage-related companies populated the list. As many feel the industry is going through a state of flux at this point in time, the following companies have proven the skeptics wrong and have seized their own niche in the market.
Number 22 ♦ Valuation Management Group
Founded in 2006, Marietta, Ga.-based Valuation Management Group (VMG) has experienced a three-year growth spurt of 7,910 percent. A provider of national commercial and residential appraisal management services for community banks, mortgage bankers and brokers, wholesale lenders, and credit unions, VMG earned $25.4 million in total revenue in 2010.
Number 140 ♦ Stonegate Mortgage
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Fishers, Ind., Stonegate Mortgage is a lender and servicer offering purchase and refinance loans through a variety of products, including government-sponsored or insured programs such as GSE, FHA, VA and USDA loans. In 2007, Stonegate earned $731,845 in revenue, and in 2010, saw $15.4 million in earnings, a 2,011 percent rise in growth.
Number 149 ♦ LeaderOne Financial
Founded in 1992 by A.W. Pickel III, former president of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB), LeaderOne Financial is a full-service mortgage banking operation currently underwriting and servicing more than $100 million in conventional and government loans. LeaderOne has seen a three-year rise in annual revenue of 1,882 percent, earning $1.3 million in 2007 and $25.6 million in 2010.
Number 205 ♦ Urban Lending Solutions
Founded in 2002 by current CEO Charlie Sanders, Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Urban Lending Solutions, with offices in Charlotte, N.C. and Broomfield, Colo., is a certified Minority Business Enterprise, providing real estate information products to mortgage industry. The company has seen a three-year earnings growth of 1,529 percent, earning $127.3 million in total revenue in 2010.
Number 215 ♦ Integrity First Financial Group
San Diego, Calif.-based Integrity First Financial Group was founded in 2006 and offers consumers mortgages with no obligation or upfront cost. In 2007, the company earned $373,862 and in 2010, earned $5.8 million in total revenue, a growth of 1,146 percent.
Number 222 ♦ US Appraisal Group
Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Chicago, US Appraisal Group provides real estate appraisal services for lenders, attorneys, relocation companies, homeowners, developers, corporations, and estate and financial planners. In 2010, the company earned $3 million in total revenue, a rise of 1,432 percent over its earnings in 2007 of $194,806.
Number 345 ♦ Flat Branch Home Loans
Flat Branch Home Loans was launched in 2006 in Columbia, Mo. with the mission of making the home-buying process easy and efficient with nine offices throughout the state of Missouri. In 2007, the company earned $380,063 in total revenue, a total which rose to $4.1 million in 2010, a 974 percent increase over the span of three years.
Number 347 ♦ America’s Mortgage Professionals
Based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., America’s Mortgage Professionals was founded in 2007 and specializes in residential mortgages, including FHA, VA, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae offerings. The company earned $413,424 in revenue in 2007, and just three years later, that total jumped to $4.4 million, a 968 percent rise over the three-year span.
