Jan 2, 2013, 12:11pm

Stearns Lending, Inc., a leading nationwide mortgage lending institution encompassing Retail, Wholesale and Correspondent business channels, announced today the appointment of James Hecht to the role of Executive Vice President – Strategic Development.

James Hecht brings 20+ years of mortgage banking sales, operations and strategic partnership leadership expertise to Stearns. Prior to joining Stearns, Mr. Hecht most recently served as Executive Vice President, National Retail and Builder Production, for Nationstar Mortgage. Previously, Mr. Hecht held executive roles with MetLife Home Loans, Bank of America and Countrywide Home Loans, serving as National Head of Consumer Direct Production, Divisional Retail Sales Executive, National Retail Fulfillment Executive and National Head of Home Builder Production.

Mr. Hecht began his career as an intern at MGIC and later a commissioned originator. He has a proven track record of building high performing teams and growing production through traditional and emerging channels. He is widely considered one of the top Strategic Alliance Executives in the industry as he developed and operated multiple builder and Realtor alliances including the largest builder joint venture in the industry which was owned by Bank of America and KB Home.

“We are extremely pleased and fortunate that James Hecht recognized the vast opportunities at Stearns. His arrival is indicative of Stearns’ broadening strength and increasing credibility as a leader in the mortgage space,” said Brian S. Hale, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. “As a member of the Stearns Executive Management Team, James will be responsible for leading and growing strategic production channels such as Consumer Direct, Builder, Credit Union Partners, and our Marketing and Recruitment teams. He will be based in Dallas, TX and will provide oversight to our growing operations in the DFW market.”

James Hecht received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree for Marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, School of Business Administration.

About Stearns Lending, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Ana, California, Stearns Lending, Inc., and its affiliated entities, have provided 23 years of exceptional mortgage lending services throughout the United States where licenses are held. Stearns’ business channels include wholesale, retail and correspondent lending; and credit union mortgage outsourcing services.

Stearns is licensed and approved to conduct business in 49 states with HUD (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development). Additionally, Stearns is an approved Single Family Issuer for Ginnie Mae (Government National Mortgage Association); an approved Seller/Servicer for FNMA (Federal National Mortgage Association), also known as Fannie Mae; and, an approved Seller/Servicer for FHLMC (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation), also known as Freddie Mac. Stearns is also approved for VA (United States Department of Veterans Affairs), USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), and is an approved lending institution with FHA (Federal Housing Administration). Stearns also provides Jumbo, Conventional and Portfolio loan products.

Stearns is recognized as a Top 20 Residential Lender Ranked by Total Volume (2012-Q2); a Top 20 Residential Lender Ranked by Total Number of Loans (2012-Q2); the 4th largest Residential Lender Ranked by Wholesale Volume (2012 Q2); a Top 20 Residential Lender Ranked by FHA/VA Volume (2012-Q2); and has become the 5th largest Privately Held Lender nationwide.* Stearns, as a company, funded $24 Billion over the past three years (representing 100,000 loans funded “In-house”). Additionally, Stearns has been recognized by Mortgage Technology Magazine’s as one of its “Top 25 Tech-Savvy Lenders” for two consecutive years (2011 and 2012).

The Company was founded in 1989 by Glenn Stearns and is a privately held company. Mr. Stearns received the Horatio Alger Award and was named Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year. In addition, he received the Orange County Business Journal – Excellence in Entrepreneurship award.

Stearns Lending, Inc. is located at 4 Hutton Centre Drive, 10^th Floor, Santa Ana, CA 92707.

For more information call (800) 350-LEND or visit www.stearns.com.

* Information provided by www.mortgagestats.com

2011 Horatio Alger Award Presentation

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20130102005471/en/