Company promotes industry veteran to vice president of national VA lending
loanDepot (LDI) has announced the promotion of David Smith (pictured) to the newly created role of vice president of national VA lending.
Smith, a former US Army sergeant, will spearhead the company’s national VA lending strategy, focusing on providing specialized services to veterans and active-duty military personnel. Smith will also oversee loanDepot’s VA council, a dedicated team of loanDepot originators who are often veterans themselves.
In addition, Smith will further advance loanDepot’s efforts to educate both the military community and industry professionals, including real estate agents and originators, about the advantages of VA mortgage products. Over the past several years, Smith has conducted training sessions for more than 28,000 real estate agents and consumers, shedding light on the nuances and benefits of the VA’s robust home loan program.
“As a purpose-driven lender, loanDepot is incredibly proud to make the dream of homeownership a reality for thousands of military families each year,” LDI Mortgage president Jeff Walsh said in a press release. “We’ve developed a core strength in serving this particular community, and now, with David’s expertise and leadership, we are poised to expand our positive impact.”
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Smith joined loanDepot in 2022 as a branch production manager, bringing over two decades of experience in mortgage, real estate, sales, and training roles. Before loanDepot, he worked with companies such as Prudential Real Estate, USAA, Wells Fargo, and Mutual of Omaha.
“Serving my fellow veterans by helping them purchase their homes and build generational wealth is incredibly meaningful and personal for me,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, too many veterans, as well as too many real estate professionals, don’t have the understanding they need to successfully utilize VA loans. Our mission is to inform and empower so that more of our country’s servicemembers—who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our country—can take advantage of the powerful benefits of the VA mortgage program.”
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