Key facts
- Mike Kortas and Anthony Casa have resolved a significant feud.
- NEXA Lending is set to acquire UMortgage.
- Kortas and his company NEXA have rejoined the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME).
- Anthony Casa, AIME's founder, is seeking a return to a leadership role within the organization.
- NEXA will cover AIME memberships for all of its approximately 4,100 loan officers.
Mike Kortas and Anthony Casa, prominent figures in the mortgage brokerage industry, have resolved a significant feud, leading to NEXA Lending's acquisition of UMortgage and a renewed relationship with the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME).
Casa, the founder of AIME, had previously taken a leave of absence in 2020 due to a lawsuit involving sexually suggestive videos, and later stepped down. Kortas, meanwhile, severed ties with AIME in 2022, citing concerns about bullying and the lack of an ethics committee. Both had publicly accused each other of misrepresentation and engaged in social media disputes.
A turning point occurred when Todd Bitter, formerly of UMortgage and now with NEXA, facilitated a meeting between Casa and Kortas. This led to a reconciliation, with Kortas stating that neither party cared about past grievances. Consequently, NEXA has re-established a strong working relationship with AIME under its current CEO, Jonathon Haddad, who prioritized repairing this connection upon taking leadership in January 2024.
As part of the renewed engagement, NEXA Lending will cover AIME memberships for all of its approximately 4,100 loan officers, significantly increasing AIME's membership base. Casa has also rejoined AIME and is nominated for the director of membership role, indicating his intention to become more involved with the organization.