Minnesota Bank & Trust Expands Mortgage Department With New Branch Opening

Minnesota Bank & Trust has opened a mortgage loan production office in Blaine, Minn. This continues the bank’s expansion in the consumer mortgage market. The bank employs 36 people dedicated to mortgage. The new office in Blaine has eight staff members. Minnesota Bank & Trust is affiliated with Heartland Financial USA Inc. Through this affiliation, Heartland Mortgage through Dubuque Bank & Trust, has six employees in Minnesota to provide centralized processing and support. “We expanded into the mortgage market in 2012,” said Kate Kelly, president of Minnesota Bank & Trust. “One reason is the increasing complexity of the mortgage loan process. Clients gravitate to banks like ours for more comprehensive, personal service.” Brett Toyne, regional manager for Heartland Mortgage, said, “We are building our mortgage business to serve clients well into the future. Right now, many consumers are taking advantage of near record-low interest rates to refinance their mortgage loans. Going forward, we also expect to be well positioned for a strong pickup in home-purchase transactions. We are fortunate to be hiring mortgage originators with proven expertise and long tenure in the industry, which enables top service for customers and steady growth of the business.”