Exec unveils the "winning combination" that has allowed the company to retain its leadership position
With housing supply and bank lending restrictions getting tighter and tighter, many homebuyers and real estate investors are being shut out of the agency market. At the center of this market gap is where non-qualified mortgage (non-QM) lenders come in to provide alternative mortgage solutions to borrowers who cannot qualify for a traditional home loan.
In MPA’s Housing Industry Icons special report, Angel Oak Companies co-CEO Mike Fierman talked about the growing demand for specialized loan programs and how Angel Oak has set itself as a leader in the non-QM space.
“Specialized loan programs are needed for many reasons,” he said. “The demand is there and always will be. As far as housing supply constraints, our vertical integration with an asset management team is a benefit. As the end investor, we don’t have to go outside our company for third-party approval to do loans. When we say we can do a loan, we do it and get it closed quickly. We minimize delays, which is important in a competitive market with low inventory.”
Today, Angel Oak holds one of the largest books of servicing assets in the non-QM sector. Fierman said they plan to stay on top of this market by using a successful formula that has enabled the company to thrive and expand its market share despite shifts or obstacles in the market.
“We will do this by adhering to a very disciplined financial management system that we have mastered. As well, our mission remains to provide the best service and mortgage products to help a large and diverse population of underserved borrowers close efficiently,” Fierman told MPA in an exclusive interview. “We continue to hire the best people possible and invest in systems that allow us to grow in a controlled manner. Our belief is that all of this creates a winning combination that will allow us to retain our leadership in the market.
“The future of non-QM is a healthy and promising market. We are very pleased with the performance of non-QM currently, and we were able to rebound in a short period of time post-pandemic. Angel Oak believes that a healthy non-QM market should be upwards of $200 billion per year. Anyone not utilizing non-QM should do so to capitalize on the opportunity that exists right now.”
To read the special report, click here.
