Flagstar Bank, a subsidiary of New York Community Bancorp (NYCB), announced a workforce reduction affecting 700 employees, equating to 8% of its workforce, as part of its strategic transformation. The bank also plans to finalize the sale of its mortgage servicing and third-party origination (TPO) business to Mr. Cooper in the fourth quarter of 2024, impacting an additional 1,200 employees, most of whom will be offered positions with the buyer.
Following its 2022 merger with Flagstar and the acquisition of Signature Bank assets in 2023, NYCB faced a confidence crisis in its commercial real estate portfolio, leading to a $1 billion equity investment and the sale of $5 billion in warehouse mortgages to JPMorgan Chase.
Commenting on the reduction, NYCB Chairman, President and CEO Joseph Otting shared, "We want to express our appreciation for our employees' contributions. Their hard work and dedication have been greatly appreciated, and we approached this decision with empathy and compassion for everyone affected."
Otting also acknowledged the challenges of the bank’s recent decisions, stating, “While these strategic actions involve difficult decisions, including impacts on jobs, we believe they are essential for strengthening our financial foundation and building a more agile, competitive company.”
As part of its transformation, NYCB announced it will rename itself as Flagstar Financial, the U.S. regional lender said last Tuesday, aligning with efforts to unify operations under one brand. The name change, set to go into effect on October 25, 2024, marks "another milestone in our ongoing transformation", Otting said in a statement on Tuesday.
