It recognizes strong performance and growth potential
Morningstar DBRS has upgraded the residential mortgage originator ranking for non-qualified mortgage (non-QM) lender Acra Lending from “stable” to “positive.”
The non-QM lender’s ability to maintain year-over-year growth in originations despite a challenging economic environment was a key factor in this positive shift, according to DBRS.
“The MOR RO2 residential mortgage originator ranking reflects Acra’s experienced and stable management team, solid underwriting processes, strong risk and compliance culture, and highly integrated technology infrastructure,” DBRS wrote in its media release. “The change in trend to positive from stable reflects Acra’s ability to effectively manage its operations and its demonstrated ability to achieve year-over-year growth in originations in a challenging economic environment. As well, Acra continues to invest in technology to further streamline and enhance operational efficiencies.”
The ratings agency highlighted Acra’s “ability to effectively manage its operations and its demonstrated ability to achieve year-over-year growth in originations in a challenging economic environment.” The ratings firm also noted that “Acra continues to invest in technology to further streamline and enhance operational efficiencies.”
Acra Lending, originally known as Citadel Servicing Corporation (CSC), has been originating loans since 2013. In February 2020, funds managed by HPS Investment Partners acquired CSC, and the company rebranded its origination arm as Acra Lending in 2021 to distinguish it from its servicing operations.
The California-headquartered lender has originated over $12.3 billion in non-QM, fix-and-flip, bridge, multifamily and other loans since 2013. The company employs approximately 363 people dedicated to loan originations, including 38 underwriters with an average of 14 years of industry experience.
“Acra remains focused on optimizing its origination processes,” DBRS said. “To this end, the company continues to closely monitor and align staffing levels in line with origination volumes, operational efficiencies, and profitability.”
Read more: Why now is the time for brokers to get involved with non-QM
In January 2024, the company rolled out new loan origination software “to further automate and enhance origination processes while increasing efficiency, customer experience, compliance, and data security.”
DBRS clarified that their mortgage originator rankings “are not credit ratings” but evaluate “the quality of the parties that originate” mortgage loans based on factors like financial condition.
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