Entrepreneur.com
Embrace Home Loans named on 2011 Great Place to Work Best Workplaces List
Employee Trust in the Workplace is the leading factor for great workplaces.
(Newport, RI) – The Great Place to Work® Rankings: 2011 Best Small & Medium Workplaces Presented by Entrepreneur® list was announced today, and Embrace Home Loans (“Embrace”) was once again recognized in the Medium category. This annual list recognizes companies that have exceptional workplace cultures. In its eighth year, the competition is divided into two categories, Small (50-250 employees) and Medium (251-999 employees). This is the sixth time that Embrace (formerly Advanced Financial Services, Inc.) has been named to this list.
Embrace was selected among hundreds of companies vying for a place on the list this year. Applicant companies opt to participate in the selection process, which includes an employee survey and an in-depth assessment of the company’s programs and practices. Great Place to Work® then evaluates each application using its unique methodology based on five dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie.
According to Embrace’s President, Kurt Noyce, “While the entire country has endured a long-recession, workers in the financial sector have possibly suffered most...with banking failures at a pace unprecedented in our lifetimes, to unending lay-offs, to slandering in the press and halls of Congress, the pride that our employees had in their profession was rocked. That’s why this – our sixth Great Place to Work recognition – is the one I am most proud of. All credit goes to our leaders who have continually communicated the challenges and the corporate responses to our entire work force. Practicing this open-book value has raised our mutual trust to new heights, and has inspired our workforce toward greater unity, respect, and awareness.”
Noyce further shared, “It is heart-warming for our employees to validate our commitment to them in this way. Further, it is a privilege to be associated with the other great organizations on this list. Many thanks to the Great Place to Work Institute and Entrepreneur.com for valuing this critically important aspect of business. Treating people well is good business. “
Creators of the list, Great Place to Work, has found that employees believe they work for great organizations when they consistently trust the people they work for, have pride in what they do, and enjoy the people they work with. Organizations named on the list see many benefits that include better financial performance, less employee turnover, higher levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, more innovative and creative thinking, higher productivity, and enhanced public perception.
“The companies featured on this year’s list are truly extraordinary in their practices and achievements,” said Susan Lucas-Conwell, CEO of Great Place to Work. “Their leaders recognize the value of creating great workplaces and the competitive edge it provides them.”
To see the complete 2011 Best Small & Medium Workplaces list, visit http://www.entrepreneur.com/gptw/medium. To learn more about how to build a high-trust workplace culture, visit www.greatplacetowork.com. To learn more about Embrace Home Loans, visit www.embracehomeloans.com.
ABOUT EMBRACE HOME LOANS®: Embrace Home Loans has been helping homeowners with their mortgage financing needs for over 28 years. Embrace, headquartered in Newport, RI, operates nationwide and helps tens of thousands of customers every year. Embrace is a direct lender for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, approved by FHA and VA, and is an issuer for Ginnie Mae. Embrace is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association, is an Equal Housing Lender, and is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau.
ABOUT GREAT PLACE TO WORK®: Great Place to Work® is a global research, consulting and training firm that helps organizations create and sustain great workplaces through the development of high-trust workplace cultures. Great Place to Work serves businesses, non-profits and government agencies in 45 countries on all six continents. In the US, Great Place to Work produces the annual FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list and Great Place to Work Best Small & Medium Workplaces list published by Entrepreneur.com.
ABOUT ENTREPRENUER.COM: Marking its 10-year anniversary in 2006, Entrepreneur.com has evolved into the most widely used website by entrepreneurs and leaders in business worldwide. As the leading small business website on the Internet, Entrepreneur.com serves its visitors’ needs by creating the most satisfying experience with relevant content, logical information management and ease of access.
Embrace Home Loans Fairfax donates $2500. To EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program as part of Charity of Choice Competition
October 7, 2011 Virginia Beach, VA
Embrace Home Loans presented a check to EQUI-KIDS, a therapeutic riding facility located in Virginia Beach, VA. The check for $2500 was presented to the organization whose missions is “to provide, promote and support equine assisted activities for individuals who have mental, physical, emotional, social or learning disabling conditions.”
Gil Lunsford, Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer, Pat Holland of Embrace’s Fairfax office selected the charity. “My sister, Karen, who was born with spinal bifida, was one of the first of 6 riders back in 1989 when EQUI-KIDS first opened its doors to the disabled with only a single horse”, explains Holland. ” Initially all children learn to ride accompanied by a side walker and a leader. The goal is to ride independently. “While, not all the children attain that goal the resulting self-esteem and the bonding that occurs between horse and rider, is truly remarkable.” Karen would eventually reach the goal of riding independently. Today she volunteers at EQUI-KIDS as a receptionist.
“What began 22 years ago with a single horse and six riders now requires some 300 volunteers each week to assist the over 100 children and 18 horses,” explains Daryl Holland, Patrick and Karen’s Dad. Daryl was an early volunteer, has served on the board at EQUI-KIDS and, for the past two and half years, as an employee in charge of “maintenance and manure” as he likes to say. “As yard keeper I don’t work as closely with the kids as I once did, but I have the privilege of observing the parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters –seeing their siblings, who as a result of their disabilities are generally uncommunicative, make so much progress each week, is wonderful to behold.” But even with so many volunteers generously donating time, operating expenses at EQUI-KIDS are still approximately $300,000 annually.
The donation made by Embrace Home Loans is part of an ongoing competitive challenge made by management to the Loan Officers at Embrace’s corporate office based in Middletown, RI and the company’s 19 branch offices. As a business incentive and reward for meeting and exceeding Embrace Home Loans business goals and objectives. A monthly competition between Retail and Direct Loan Officers has been established called the “Charity of Choice” Competition. The division winners of the competition receive a charitable donation from Embrace Home Loans made out to the charity of their choice. “Charity of Choice” Competition winners from Embrace Home Loans donate $2,500 each consecutive month through December 2011 to a local charity which has been nominated by the winning team and selected by it’s employees.
“Embrace Home Loans has a culture of giving,” says Lunsford, “over the past 5 years alone we have donated more than 13.5 million dollars to charities both big and small.”
The Fairfax branch won the competition and the chance to donate to EQUI-KIDS by exceeding sales volume projections for the month of September.
About EQUI-KIDS
EQUI-KIDS is a Premier Accredited Center through PATH, Intl., and a member of the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia. EQUI-KIDS’ therapeutic riding instructors are PATH, Intl. certified and continue their education every year to ensure the highest level of professionalism in the industry. Currently, the program has over 300 volunteers who support our mission outreach by sharing their passion to make a positive, impactful difference in the lives of others every day. To learn more and support EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program, visit them on the web at www.equikids.org.
Providence Business News
PBN names Best Places To Work for 2011
PROVIDENCE – Providence Business News and Best Companies Group announced Wednesday the 2011 winners of the annual Best Places To Work competition.
The 40 companies – split into three divisions based on their size, ranging from 15-49 employees to 50-149 employees to 150+ employees – were chosen based on responses to a management questionnaire as well as a confidential employee survey.
This marks the sixth year that PBN has sponsored the Best Places To Work program, which is conducted by Best Companies. The winners will be celebrated at a dinner to be held Thursday, June 9, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Providence-Warwick. Rankings within each category will be revealed then. To make reservations to attend, email Events@PBN.com.
Five companies have been named to the Best Places To Work list in each of the six years PBN has sponsored it: Edward Jones, South Kingstown; Embrace Home Loans(formerly Advanced Financial Services Inc.), Middletown; Hinckley Allen Snyder, Providence; Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Providence; and Perspectives Corp., North Kingstown.
Additional sponsors for the 2011 Best Places To Work program are: Collette Vacations; Cox Business; the Rhode Island Society for Human Resource Management; Tufts Health Plan; and USI-Mastors & Servant Insurance.
The winners, by category and in alphabetical order can be found here.
June 7, 2011 Businesswire
Embrace Home Loans Celebrates 28th Year of Business, Recognizes Anniversary with Company-Wide Outreach Event
Offices Reach out to Children of Local Communities NEWPORT, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Embrace Home Loans, a prominent leader in the mortgage industry and a direct lender for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, approved by FHA and VA, and an issuer for Ginnie Mae, celebrated its 28th year in business with a company-wide drive to gather sports, fitness and recreational equipment to donate to local communities.
“to see – especially in this prolonged troubled economy – a sea of orange shirts packing box after box of basketballs, gloves, fishing poles, and volleyball nets for shipments to over twenty organizations stretching from Massachusetts to Florida.”
Since its inception in 1983, Embrace Home Loans has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals and families purchase new homes, lower monthly payments and consolidate high-interest debt. In the past year alone, the company originated more than $3 billion in loans. The company employs more than 600 employees and operates from 16 offices nationwide.
Kurt Noyce, president of Embrace Home Loans described the annual event, “We’re delighted to continue the tradition of recognizing our company anniversary with a corporate outreach. For almost 30 years, Embrace Home Loans has been focused on meeting the needs of the communities we serve by providing customized mortgage loan solutions. As we celebrate another year, we thank the communities that have supported us by gifting local organizations with donations collected through our outreach efforts.”
Each department in Embrace Home Loans’ corporate office in Newport, Rhode Island as well as every branch location nationwide participated by selecting local schools, community centers and camps for the donation. The company dubbed the event, “Orange Day”, reflecting their color and logo. “It is heart-warming,” Noyce went on to say, “to see – especially in this prolonged troubled economy – a sea of orange shirts packing box after box of basketballs, gloves, fishing poles, and volleyball nets for shipments to over twenty organizations stretching from Massachusetts to Florida.”
Editor’s Note
Some of the local agencies selected by Embrace Home Loans’ employees to receive sports fitness and recreational equipment as part of their 28th anniversary celebration:
- Martin Luther King Center – Newport, RI
- Barrington Christian Academy – Barrington, RI
- Camp Hope – North Scituate, RI
- Child & Family Services of Newport, RI
- Citizens for Citizens After-School Day Care Program – Fall River, MA
- Hearts4Hockey – Hamburg, NY
- Henry Lord Middle School Boys & Girls Basketball Team – Fall River, MA
- Kuss Middle School Sports Program – Fall River, MA
- Martin Luther King Center
- Newport Boys & Girls Club & Newport Boys & Girls Club Hooked on Fishing Program – Newport, RI
- Newport Recreation Center – Newport, RI
- Reading Tree Rogers High School Football – Newport, RI
- South Providence Neighborhood Ministries – Providence, RI
- St. Mary’s Home for Children – North Providence, RI
- Wareham Boys & Girls Club – Wareham, MA
- William Paca Elementary – Baltimore, MD
May 19, 2011 BusinessWire
Embrace Home Loans Ranked Among Scotsman Guide’s Top Originators
Loan Officers Mehdi Pirzadeh, Doug Benner, Reach Top Dollar Volumes in 2010
ROCKVILLE, M.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Embrace Home Loans, a prominent leader in the mortgage industry and a direct lender for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, approved by FHA and VA, and an issuer for Ginnie Mae, today announced Scotsman Guide has recognized two of Embrace Home Loans’ leading loan officers as Top Originators in 2010.
Mehdi Pirzadeh was ranked #34 nationally in Top Dollar Volume with approximately $124 million (280 loans) in addition to his ranking at #100 in Most Loans Closed. Doug Benner was ranked #139 in Top Dollar Volume with approximately $65 million (177 loans).
Pirzadeh and Benner were ranked among national entries from nearly 700 mortgage professionals. To be eligible for initial consideration in Scotsman Guide’s Top Originators rankings, originators must have had at least $30 million in loan volume or 100 closed home loans for the 2010 calendar year.
Scotsman Guide, a resource for mortgage originators, released its second annual Top Originators rankings on April 1. The list, which ranks the nation's top mortgage brokers, originators and bankers, appears in Scotsman Guide's April 2011 residential edition.
“Our loan officers consistently excel in providing customers with the highest level of service and support,” said Cary Reines, division head for Embrace Home Loans. “Mehdi and Doug are among the many we are very proud of at Embrace Home Loans. Their consistent recognition as Top Originators speaks volumes to their level of dedication and commitment in finding the right loans for each borrower. This is an outstanding achievement for each of them and we are fortunate to have them on our team.”
May 11, 2011 BusinessWire
Local Atlanta Lender, Embrace Home Loans, Offers Multiple Homebuyer Assistance Programs
Down Payment, First, Second Mortgage, Closing Cost Assistance Available to Qualified Buyers
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Embrace Home Loans’ Peachtree City, Ga. branch announced approval to offer multiple assistance programs designed to supplement available resources for approved homebuyers. Embrace Home Loans is a prominent leader in the mortgage industry and a direct lender for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, approved by FHA and VA, and an issuer for Ginnie Mae.
Georgia residents have several programs available to qualified buyers both inside the Metro Atlanta area and statewide. These programs are designed to stimulate and expand homeownership while encouraging reinvestment within designated areas by providing first and second mortgage, down payment and closing cost assistance for a variety of qualified homebuyers. (continued)
March 22, 2011 BusinessWire
Local Orlando Lender, Embrace Home Loans, Approved to Offer First-Time Homebuyer Bond Programs
(continued)
The Florida Housing Finance Authority program can be used in all 67 counties in Florida and the Orange County Housing Finance Authority can be used in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake counties. Established to stimulate and expand homeownership in Florida, the programs issue mortgage revenue bonds to help lower homebuyers’ cost of purchasing.
“At Embrace, we pride ourselves on having the tools necessary to help buyers get into homes. With these programs, we will further meet our commitment.”
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Embrace Home Loans’ Orlando, Fla. retail branch today announced it is approved by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and Orange County Housing Finance Authority to offer bond programs that provide second mortgage, down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers. Embrace Home Loans is a prominent leader in the mortgage industry and a direct lender for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, approved by FHA and VA, and an issuer for Ginnie Mae.
Down Payment, Second Mortgage and Closing Cost Assistance Available to Qualified Buyers
Delawareonline
March 4, 2011 Unheard of three years ago, many lenders are giving loans for $50,000-$70,000, and with FHA loans become a more popular option, first-time homebuyers have a fantastic opportunity to purchase a home with little downpayment and low monthly mortgage payments. In some cases, mortgage payments can be half of what someone would expect to pay for an apartment.
The housing market is in a new place. Home prices and interest rates are at an all-time low, and for the first time, buying a home may cost less than renting.
"Buying Now Cheaper Than Renting"
(BusinessWire)
February 24, 2011
Local Orlando Lender, Embrace Home Loans, Reports Record Results, Points to Signs of Housing Market Showing Improvement “We’re very excited and pleased with the level of success achieved last year”
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Embrace Home Loans’ Orlando, Fla. office today reported record numbers for 2010. The lending team – which has been together for years – joined Embrace in early 2010, and credits its more than 275 years of combined experience in the mortgage lending industry, combined with Embrace’s best-in-class support structure, for its successful performance. Embrace Home Loans is a prominent leader in the mortgage industry and a direct lender for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, approved by FHA and VA, and an issuer for Ginnie Mae.
Seasoned Team of Loan Officers Tout 275 Years of Combined Mortgage Experience
Inc. 5000 List Ranks Embrace Home Loans Among America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies
BusinessWireDec. 1, 2010 an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy -- announced today that it ranked on the Inc. 5000, , direct lender for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, approved by FHA and VA, and an issuer for Ginnie Mae, a prominent leader in the mortgage industry and a Embrace Home Loans \ NEWPORT, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--