Key facts
- OriginPoint has hired mortgage originators Erin Halliday and Jon Levin.
- The team joins from New American Funding.
- They bring approximately $165 million in annual loan volume.
- The team has 50 years of combined mortgage lending experience.
- Their focus markets are California and Hawaii.
Chicago-based mortgage lender OriginPoint has expanded its West Coast presence by hiring top-producing loan officers Erin Halliday and Jon Levin from New American Funding. The duo, who operated as a high-volume production team, officially joined OriginPoint on July 27, bringing approximately $165 million in annual loan volume and a combined 50 years of mortgage lending experience.
Their recruitment is aimed at bolstering OriginPoint's capabilities in purchase and jumbo lending within California and Hawaii, two high-cost housing markets where specialized financing and speed are crucial. In a challenging origination market characterized by elevated interest rates and limited inventory, retaining and recruiting experienced teams has become a key growth strategy for lenders.
Halliday, with nearly 25 years in the industry, has a background in conventional, government, and jumbo loans, as well as first-time homebuyer and investment property financing. Data indicates she closed 167 loans totaling roughly $149 million in volume over the past 12 months, primarily conventional loans.
Levin, with over three decades of experience, specializes in complex financing scenarios, including investment properties, debt-service-coverage ratio loans, and nonstandard ownership structures. OriginPoint's loan officer count has grown to 219 by the end of July, up from 183 a year prior, with a total loan value of $6.4 billion based on 14-month volume.
James Elliott, president and CEO of OriginPoint, welcomed Halliday and Levin, citing their integrity, kindness, and commitment to service as exceptional leadership qualities. The move highlights the ongoing competition among retail lenders for seasoned originators with established referral networks and diverse product channel experience, particularly in coastal markets demanding customized financing solutions.