Highlands Bancorp Acquires Mortgage Banking Firm

Highlands Bancorp Inc. has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Highlands State Bank, has entered into an agreement to acquire the mortgage banking company Secured Lending Solutions Inc. (SLS) of Glen Rock, N.J. SLS will be operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the bank upon completion of standard regulatory approvals and normal acquisition conditions. SLS is a New Jersey-based mortgage banking company that was co-founded by Michele Luff, CMB, its current president and CEO. The company has developed a strong presence in Northern New Jersey and Southern New York State, and specializes in conventional one- to four-family mortgage lending products that includes FHA, VA and USDA Rural development loans. SLS also offers reverse mortgage products. “Highlands’ strategic plan has been to offer excellent residential mortgage products to our customer base, and bringing SLS into our company enables us to provide the customers in our market area with competitive mortgage products delivered with the kind of service both we and our customers expect,"  said George E. Irwin, CEO of Highlands State Bank. "SLS brings both the products and the seasoned mortgage staff that will enable the bank to continue our growth and improve our interest and fee income." “Our affiliation with Highlands will allow us to greatly expand our capabilities, and we are excited to be a part of the Bank’s growth," said Luff, who will continue as the company’s president after the acquisition is completed.