Category: Corporate

Benchmark Achieves Accreditation as a Social Impact Lender

Benchmark, a leading mortgage lender since 1999, is proud to announce its accreditation as an Accredited Social Impact Lender (ASIL) by the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA).

This accreditation is a testament to Benchmark’s commitment to providing quality mortgage services to all of its clients. Benchmark’s mission is to make homeownership accessible to everyone, and this accreditation is a major milestone in achieving that goal.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by NAMMBA as a Social Impact Lender,” said Benchmark CEO, Brian McKinney. “At Benchmark, we strive to provide our clients with the best possible service and this accreditation is proof of our commitment to our mission.”

NAMMBA is a national organization dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the mortgage industry. The ASIL accreditation is a rigorous process that requires lenders to demonstrate their commitment to social impact lending.

“We are proud to have Benchmark join our ranks of ASIL lenders,” said NAMMBA President, Tony Thompson. “Benchmark’s commitment to providing quality services to all of its clients is a testament to their dedication to their mission.”

Benchmark is committed to providing its clients with the best possible service and this accreditation is a major milestone in achieving that goal. With this accreditation, Benchmark is now better equipped to serve its clients and help them achieve their goals of homeownership.

For more information about Benchmark and its services, please visit benchmark.us.

Benchmark Is Making Waves: Best Company, Best to Work For!

by I Am Benchmark

Benchmark has been named one of the 50 Best Places to Work for by Mortgage Executive Magazine!

We’re ranked #7 on average score!

Additionally, Benchmark was named to the magazine’s Top 100 Mortgage Companies in America. We landed at #38 alongside some of the biggest names in the country.

64 of our teammates were recognized as the Top 1% Originators in America. The magazine stated, “the top 1 percent of mortgage originators delivered outstanding results in a challenging market” and we couldn’t agree more!

Benchmark brings you home.

Steve Remington of Benchmark Named New TMBA President

by I Am Benchmark

April 26, 2022 – Steve Remington, Benchmark’s C.O.O., was sworn in as the 2022/23 President of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association last month at the TMBA Annual Convention in Austin, TX.

The TMBA’s membership is the largest in the nation, made up of mortgage bankers, banks, credit unions, attorney firms, vendors, technology firms, and more. Remington joined the TMBA in 1998, reverent of the associations impact on legislation through legislative advocacy and policy making for the mortgage industry since 1917. Remington assumed many roles within the non-profit organization, serving on committees, boards, and projects, developing relationships with colleagues/friends he leans on for mentorship.

“I’m grateful for the tremendous amount of networking, and access to industry veterans whose careers span decades longer than my own that have been very successful in our business.”
“Their lessons in servant leadership have influenced my style of leading at Benchmark through flourishing times and moments of uncertainty.”
Steve Remington

Remington calls himself a student of the industry, and one of his goals during his presidency is to educate those in real estate finance, while attracting new members. Leadership development is a personal passion Remington shares with the TMBA. Communicating and navigating challenges and issues on a national level to protect & prosper our industry will be high on his priority list as he serves his term.

NAMMBA Announces Partnership with Benchmark Mortgage

by I Am Benchmark

March 25, 2022 – (https://www.nammba.org/nammba-news/2022/3/23/y01ossl45mus481lro33y10vzs16iv)

Today marks the start of Benchmark’s partnership with the National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA).

Benchmark Mortgage is a nation-wide lender headquartered near Dallas, TX. For over 20 years, the company has built a dynamic lending community. Their entire business is driven by focusing on relationships. They are a community of mortgage professionals who are united by the Benchmark Core Values. These values drive the company’s culture, shape its paradigm, and have been the foundation of their success. For more on Benchmark’s core values, click here: https://benchmark.us/the-benchmark-way/our-core-values/

This partnership with Benchmark brings NAMMBA closer to their mission of increasing the engagement of women and minorities in the mortgage industry. The mortgage industry is historically homogeneous and NAMMBA hopes that this partnership will be just a small part of the path to changing that.t

“We are so excited that Benchmark decided to come on as a partner to create a more diverse mortgage industry,”
“Cooperation and collaboration are key to bringing more young people, women, and minorities into this industry and which leads to fresher ideas and ways of doing business.”
NAMMBA Founder/CEO Tony Thompson, CMB

Benchmark’s motto Is “Benchmark brings you home.” Every day they work hard to ensure that the “You” In their motto means everyone. They do not discriminate against any customer and strive to provide a first-class mortgage experience for all. Benchmark’s core values include Relationships and Excellence, and these demand that they continuously support the movement for equality in all the communities where their clients live and work. Benchmark is committed to providing equal access to everyone who desires the American dream of home ownership.

“Benchmark is a remarkable community of mortgage professionals. At Benchmark, we have a clearly defined set of core values that we live out and practice every day. Having carefully selected each team member one person at a time, and with an average of over a decade of individual experience, we have assembled what we believe is the best team in the mortgage industry today. Not only does our team go the extra mile to serve our branches, loan officers, and support teams, we also stand ready to deliver an exceptional experience that is second to none for our customers. Please reach out and let us know if we can help you take advantage of the Benchmark opportunity today”.
Jim McMahan, President at Benchmark Mortgage.

About NAMMBA: https://www.nammba.org/about-nammba

Jade Winfrey
NAMMBA

Benchmark Interview Series: Real Estate during COVID-19 pandemic

by I Am Benchmark

The current market is not the same one that existed only three months ago. Open houses are not as “open” as they were, and COVID 19 has impacted every aspect of the real estate market. We got with JD Tomlin, a realtor with the JD Tomlin Team (est. 2010) in the DFW area, to discuss some of the hottest issues that have come up with the changing industry.

Enjoy the series.

Benchmark Interview Series: Real Estate during COVID-19 pandemic, Part 1

May 14, 2020

The team you work with matters! The industry has changed a lot, and working with an expert who can navigate the changing guidelines is more important than ever. Lenders today are dealing with constraints that have taxed the entire industry with challenges, including long wait times on appraisals. In some cases, some lenders are just not sending funds to close their loans. Ultimately, how long is the home buying process taking? Overall, transaction times haven’t changed very much. Benchmark has a team dedicated to making sure loans close quickly, efficiently, and on time. Read more

Benchmark Interview Series: Real Estate during COVID-19 pandemic, Part 2

May 14, 2020

Home inventory helps predict whether it’s a “Seller’s Market” or a “Buyer’s Market.” When there are too many houses for sale, the buyer has the advantage. When there are not enough houses, sellers have the advantage. Home inventory changes based on location, so good advice in one city, may be harmful in another. No matter what inventory level your area is seeing, the important thing to note is that houses are still selling, people are still moving, and you can too! Ask your local Benchmark Loan Officer to connect you with one of their trusted realtor partners to get started today! Read more

Benchmark Interview Series: Real Estate during COVID-19 pandemic, Part 3

May 14, 2020

If you are considering listing your house for sale, you have probably considered the fact that people will want to come tour the inside of the house. This is where the realtor you choose can make a big difference. Photographs and 3D digital tours have become popular solutions to boosting your house listing, and allow potential buyers to see enough of the house that they may make an offer, site unseen. Realtors are also seeing that every protective measure is taken to make sure they enter a house with facemasks and sanitization before, and after, viewing a house. Read more

Benchmark Interview Series: Real Estate during COVID-19 pandemic, Part 4

May 14, 2020

It’s no secret that realtors work hard to create a great home finding process for their clients. For top notch realtors, this has not really changed. Restrictions have been put in place to ensure that visiting homes is done safely, and inline with the CDC’s recommendations. When home sellers have multiple people wanting to look at the house, Realtors will often try to access the house without their clients, providing a walk-through video, as well taking note of things the homebuyer may want to know about. This requires a lot of trust in your realtor partner, and borrowers may need to be ready to potentially purchase a house without actually stepping foot inside of it. Read more

Benchmark Interview Series: Real Estate during COVID-19 pandemic, Part 4

by I Am Benchmark

Benchmark Interview Series: Real Estate during COVID-19 pandemic, Part 3

by I Am Benchmark

Benchmark Interview Series: Real Estate during COVID-19 pandemic, Part 2

by I Am Benchmark

Benchmark Interview Series: Real Estate during COVID-19 pandemic, Part 1

by I Am Benchmark

Market Update for March 25th

by I Am Benchmark

Founding Partner Stewart Hunter delivers a quick market update, including the $2 Trillion bailout package, shelter in place, and Benchmark's own market and operation status.