New American Funding Bolsters Texas Presence with Acquisition of Top Originators Shane Masterman and Christian Johnson

New American Funding (NAF), a prominent independent mortgage lender, has significantly expanded its presence in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area with the addition of seasoned mortgage originators Shane Masterman and Christian Johnson. This strategic move, announced on Thursday, marks the establishment of Cantera Home Lending, which will operate under the NAF umbrella. The duo brings a formidable track record to NAF, having collectively originated more than $2 billion in residential mortgages throughout their distinguished careers. Their combined industry expertise spans nearly 50 years, solidifying their positions as highly experienced professionals within the mortgage sector.

Further underscoring their individual achievements, the inaugural HousingWire Mortgage Rankings for 2025 highlight their substantial contributions. Shane Masterman recorded a total origination volume of $69.14 million, facilitating 83 individual home loans. Christian Johnson, meanwhile, achieved a volume of $55.36 million, closing 110 loans. These figures place them among the top-performing originators in the nation.

The newly formed Cantera Home Lending team will leverage New American Funding's robust and established lending platform. This integration will enable them to offer a comprehensive and diverse portfolio of mortgage products designed to meet a wide array of borrower needs. Their offerings will include conventional loans, which are standard mortgages not backed by government agencies; Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, designed to assist first-time homebuyers and those with lower credit scores; Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, providing benefits to eligible veterans and active-duty military personnel; jumbo loans, for loan amounts exceeding conforming limits; portfolio loans, which are held by the lender rather than sold on the secondary market; construction loans, for financing new home builds; renovation loans, for properties requiring significant updates; reverse mortgages, allowing homeowners aged 62 and older to convert home equity into cash; and a variety of other specialty loan options catering to unique financial situations.

Pat Bolan, chief production officer at New American Funding, expressed considerable enthusiasm for the integration of Masterman and Johnson. He lauded them as "two of the top 1% of mortgage originators in the nation" and acknowledged their esteemed reputation within the North Texas real estate and lending community. Bolan emphasized that their success is rooted in a customer-centric approach, prioritizing both clients and referral partners, a philosophy that aligns with NAF's core values.

Christian Johnson, who boasts over 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry, brings specialized expertise in financing for various buyer segments. His proficiency extends to assisting first-time homebuyers navigating the market, move-up buyers seeking larger homes, luxury homeowners, and astute real estate investors. Shane Masterman, with over 24 years of dedicated experience, focuses on more complex financing needs, including jumbo loans, conventional mortgages, FHA, and VA loans, particularly for luxury homebuyers and investors who often require tailored financial solutions.

Masterman articulated his positive outlook, stating that New American Funding's "deep focus on the business of mortgages and on the families behind every transaction" resonates strongly with his professional ethos. He further elaborated that NAF's commitment to fostering mutual growth, investing heavily in cutting-edge technology and innovative products, and providing comprehensive support to its team members at all levels is precisely in sync with the vision he and Christian Johnson share for the future of Cantera Home Lending.