United Wholesale Mortgage hires top industry CEO to drive growth

United Wholesale Mortgage aims to increase market share and grow it mortgage broker channel with a key hire.

Former Class Appraisal CEO Alex Elezaj has joined UWM as chief strategy officer. In his former role he presided over a more-than-tripling of annual revenue and built relationships with more than 300 mortgage brokers and over 1,000 appraisers.

“We are thrilled to have such an amazing leader join our team, and his main focus will be aligned with UWM’s which is to help our mortgage broker partners grow,” said Mat Ishbia, President and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage. “He is in total lockstep with our company from a leadership vision and culture standpoint, as he believes mortgage brokers are the best place for loan originators to work and for borrowers to get a mortgage.”

UWM grew volume by 29% in 2017 and has bucked industry trends with an 85% increase in production in the first three months of 2018.

“What UWM has done over the last several years, growing at such an impressive rate despite market declines and entrenching itself as the run-away best wholesale lender in the country, is insanely impressive,” Elezaj said. “You can see UWM’s momentum and still-massive growth potential everywhere you look. I am excited to join such a great group of people and industry powerhouse, and play a role in its continued efforts to grow the mortgage broker channel.”