Zitlow Rejoins Cornerstone Home Lending

After a brief departure from Cornerstone Home Lending Inc. (CHL) in early 2022, Kelly Zitlow returns as executive vice president of sales & engagement, the brokerage announced Friday.

A mortgage industry veteran, Zitlow has nearly 27 years in residential home finance. She was a top-producing loan originator at CHL from 2017 to March 2022, when she departed as vice president, certified mortgage planning specialist to accept a position with Keller Mortgage, where she served as senior mortgage adviser and head of elite branch network.

Cornerstone Home Lending's acquisition of The Roscoe State Bank, resulting in the formation of Cornerstone Capital Bank SSB, was the impetus for Zitlow's return. 

"The bank acquisition provides an expanded product line and the ability to lend across state lines in 37 states plus the District of Columbia (with more states to come), which is a game changer for our loan officers, clients, and real estate partners," Zitlow said.

In addition to continuing to originate loans, Zitlow will bring innovative strategies for an ever-evolving industry to CHL's mortgage sales team in her new role, the company said. 

"I could not be more excited to be back 'home' with Cornerstone Home Lending,” Zitlow said. “During a time when many mortgage companies are struggling, Cornerstone Home Lending continues to be a standout leader in the industry, providing strength and stability in the market by expanding product/service offerings and carefully considering the needs of its clients."

Zitlow is renowned for her passion for serving the needs of her clients, real estate partners, and fellow loan officers, which aligns perfectly with CHL's Mission to make a difference in the lives of others, the company said.

Created by Cornerstone Home Lending's acquisition of and merger with The Roscoe State Bank, Houston-based Cornerstone Capital Bank SSB has a combined operating history dating back to 1906, with mortgage banking, mortgage loan servicing, commercial banking, and institutional banking divisions. 

Cornerstone, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., continues to operate as Cornerstone Home Lending, which has assisted families with nearly 500,000 home financing transactions since inception in 1988. 

In addition to residential mortgage lending, Cornerstone Home Lending provides full-service, in-house mortgage loan-servicing operations. Cornerstone's institutional banking division offers deposit and lending services to community banks across the country.