Brokers First Funding Taps Industry Vets To Drive Non-QM Growth – NMP Skip to main content

Brokers First Funding Taps Industry Vets To Drive Non-QM Growth

Feb 17, 2026
Frank Nese and Lito Gonzales
Managing Editor

BFF adds Frank Nese and Lito Gonzales in senior sales leadership roles to drive growth and expand its Western sales footprint

Brokers First Funding (BFF), a wholesale lender focused on non-agency and Non-QM products, has appointed industry veterans Frank Nese and Lito Gonzales to senior sales leadership roles as part of a broader growth strategy.

Nese joins BFF as managing director and head of western sales, a newly created role aimed at expanding the company’s footprint across the region. An Army veteran with more than 30 years of mortgage industry experience, Nese has held senior sales and marketing leadership positions across multiple lending cycles. His background includes executive roles at firms such as New Century, Fremont Investment & Loan, Carrington Mortgage Services, and EPM, where he developed and led national sales teams.

“Joining Brokers First Funding was an easy decision for me,” said Nese. “The company combines a forward-thinking vision with a deep commitment to providing world-class service to our broker partners. I’m excited to help scale a platform that empowers partners, accelerates growth, and truly puts relationships first.”

Gonzales, appointed regional vice president of west coast sales, brings nearly three decades of wholesale lending experience to BFF.

After beginning his professional career as a sous chef and ice sculptor, Gonzales transitioned into mortgage banking as a wholesale account executive. He later became a top-producing AE and advanced into management, where he launched a junior AE development program while continuing to produce and mentor sales staff.

"Frank and Lito’s expertise and vision for sales and marketing innovation make them the perfect fit for BFF as we continue our growth trajectory," said Shabi Asghar, president of BFF. "They’re passion for sales excellence will help us scale and deliver on our promise of an exceptional experience for our customers.”

About the author
Managing Editor
NMP Managing Editor Eric C. Peck has 25-plus years’ experience covering the mortgage industry. He graduated from the New York Institute of Technology, where he received his B.A. in Communication Arts/Media. After graduating, he…
Published
Feb 17, 2026
More from
Non-QM
Turn Market Data Into Non-QM Deals

How originators can pair market expertise with Non-QM products to solve borrower problems and uncover new business

Aug 19, 2026
Beeline CEO Puts Another $500,000 Behind Non-QM And Home Equity Pivot

The convertible note will become common stock without a market discount as Beeline pursues higher-margin lending and its proposed TYTL combination

Aug 13, 2026
Higher Rates Cool July Mortgage Locks While Non-QM Pushes Past 10%

Purchase locks fell 12% from June as the conforming share dropped to 47.3%, extending the mortgage market’s shift toward more specialized products

Aug 11, 2026
Friday Harbor Brings AI Pre-Underwriting To Complex Non-QM Loans

Platform calculates bank-statement income and evaluates complex files against investor-specific guidelines before formal underwriting

Aug 11, 2026
Beeline Moves To Acquire Blockchain Home Equity Partner TYTL

The proposed all-stock combination would unite Beeline’s mortgage, Non-QM, and title operations with a platform that lets homeowners sell fractional equity instead of taking out another loan

Aug 06, 2026
Carrington Closes Valon Mortgage Acquisition, Nears 2 Million Serviced Loans

Deal adds approximately 810,000 loans and clears the way for Carrington to make ValonOS its core servicing platform

Aug 05, 2026