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» VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM JUDICIAL REVIEW used to see some very exotic loans on the market, but we kept our loans pretty basic," Anastos explained. "We never went after subprime loans, and we didn't like to do things that didn't make sense. Our goal was and is to get individuals into the right home at the right time with the right product so that they can stay in the home for a long time." In addition, he says the company always made sure borrowers were well-qualified to make the payments on their loans. There were very few "no doc" loans made, and they were only made when other compensating factors existed. Finally, Anastos says Mortgage Master's folksy, down-home approach is appreciated. "We feel that our personal service and courteous assistance not usually found in large banking institutions is appreciated by everyone," he said. "If you call our offices, you will actually talk to someone, not a recording." This year is Mortgage Master's 25th anniversary, and the year-long celebration is in full swing. As its success continues, the company continues to hire good people, observe responsible lending practices, and treat clients with respect. INDUSTRY INSIGHT POINT— COUNTERPOINT branch offices, the newest one in Chicago. Plans are in the works to expand to other states. The company's volume of closing is enviable. "We closed more than 2,000 loans per month in 2012 for a total of $7.2 billion, up from $5 billion the year before," Anastos explained. Based on the company's strong record of achievement, Anastos says 79 of Mortgage Master's 250 loan originators are ranked among the top 200 loan officers in the United States as measured in dollar volume. Although the company has many elite performers in both sales and operations, Anastos says they don't publicize those individuals. "When the New England Patriots are introduced at their football games, they always come out as a team. The players are never announced individually," he said. "We're like that because our focus is on the 700 people who work together in our offices every single day. They are all outstanding, and the talent in our back office is equal to the professionals who work in the front office." Another basic principle underlying Mortgage Master's success is responsible lending. "You BEST PRACTICES However, Mortgage Master, a Walpole, Massachusetts-based mortgage banker, is one such example. The company was established 25 years ago, and it has never had to repurchase a loan it originated from an investor. Occasionally a loan is questioned, but only one-fourth of 1 percent of these loans ever went into foreclosure. So what's the company's secret? Is there some incredible formula known only to Leif Thomsen, the founder of Mortgage Master, who came to the United States from Denmark back in the 1980s and started the company in his basement? According to current Mortgage Master President Paul Anastos, it's just common sense based on hiring the right employees, adhering to responsible lending practices, and treating people kindly. "We've had good success in hiring talented, experienced people," Anastos said. "Our 700 employees work incredibly hard every day to put people into homes they can afford." Putting people in homes is an emotional thing, he added. Mortgage Master currently operates in 22 states and the District of Columbia through 45 65