OriginPoint Hires Halliday-Levin Team for $165M Mortgage Growth

Chicago-based mortgage lender OriginPoint announced on July 27 that it has hired the high-producing loan officer team of Erin Halliday and Jon Levin from New American Funding. Operating as the Erin Halliday & Jon Levin Team, they bring a combined 50 years of mortgage industry experience and collectively originate approximately $165 million in annual loan volume across all 50 U.S. states, with a strategic focus on the California and Hawaii markets. This acquisition is intended to bolster OriginPoint's capabilities in purchase and jumbo lending within two of the nation's most expensive housing markets, where experienced, relationship-driven lenders often secure business through handling complex scenarios and achieving rapid closings. The move signifies OriginPoint's commitment to expanding its footprint and service offerings in key growth regions.

In a mortgage origination market characterized by elevated interest rates and limited housing inventory, the recruitment and retention of high-performing loan officer teams have become a critical strategy for lenders seeking to drive growth. Erin Halliday, with nearly 25 years in mortgage lending, has been recognized as a President’s Club member and specializes in conventional, government, and jumbo loans, as well as financing for first-time homebuyers and investment properties. Data from RETR indicates that Halliday has closed 167 loans totaling roughly $149 million in volume over the preceding 12 months, with a significant portion being conventional loans. OriginPoint's overall loan officer count reached 219 by the end of July, an increase from 183 a year prior, with a total loan volume valued at $6.4 billion based on a 14-month period, according to RETR.

Jon Levin brings over three decades of experience in the mortgage sector, having commenced his career in the late 1980s. His expertise lies in navigating complex financing arrangements, including those for investment properties, loans based on debt-service-coverage ratios, structures involving LLC ownership, and other non-standard lending situations. James Elliott, who has worked with Halliday and Levin at a previous company, expressed confidence in their capabilities and character, highlighting his long-standing professional relationship with the team. OriginPoint, a joint venture between Rate and Compass, aims to leverage the team's established track record and specialized skills to enhance its competitive position, particularly in markets demanding sophisticated mortgage solutions. The addition of Halliday and Levin is expected to contribute significantly to OriginPoint's strategic objectives for market penetration and service excellence on the West Coast and beyond.