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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 10 February 2025 M O V E R S & S H A K E R S Movers & Shakers Lenders/Servicers PLANET HOME LENDING NAMES NEW SVP, DISTRIBUTED RETAIL Planet Home Lending has hired Matt Payan as SVP, Distributed Retail Sales. Payan brings more than two decades of experience in retail mortgage sales leadership, branch operations, and driving high-performing sales teams, leveraging his 30-year finance back- ground to increase profitability. "Matt Payan is a strategic leader with an impressive track record of building and sustaining retail excellence," said Michael Dubeck, CEO and President of Planet Financial Group, parent of Planet Home Lending. "His expertise and focus on providing mortgage loan originators (MLOs) and branch managers with the tools and support they need to thrive will be pivotal as we accelerate our growth in Distributed Retail." Prior to joining Planet, Payan served as Divisional VP at CMG Financial and SVP of Retail at HomeBridge Financial Services. In these roles, he played a significant part in leading growth ini- tiatives, including strategic acquisitions, and in fostering smooth transitions for branches and MLOs. "Planet's vision, leadership, and commitment to its MLOs are unparal- leled," Payan said. "Loan officers work incredibly hard, and they need to know their customers will stay in the servicing portfolio. Planet's unmatched servicing capabilities, including refinances for existing customers, ensure they do. That trust, combined with the resources and tools Planet provides, makes this an ideal environment for retail teams to thrive." During his tenure at HomeBridge and CMG, Payan successfully led teams through acquisitions, gaining invaluable experience in supporting branches and MLOs during times of transition. That knowledge will be instrumental as Planet continues to expand its retail footprint and attract top-tier talent. "Matt brings a unique blend of experience and passion for retail mort- gage sales," said John Bosley, President of Mortgage Lending at Planet Home Lending. "His ability to navigate com- plex transitions, build top-performing teams, and foster a culture of success aligns perfectly with Planet's fierce desire to grow Distributed Retail into an industry powerhouse. With Matt's leadership and Planet's strong capital backing, we are well-positioned to achieve that goal." WATERSTONE MORTGAGE APPOINTS NEW MANAGER OF TEXAS BRANCH National mortgage lender Waterstone Mortgage Corporation has announced the opening of a new branch in Bartonville, Texas, known as the Veteran Community Mortgage Team, to be led by Jason Stier (Director of VA Lending). The Veteran Community Mortgage team focuses almost exclu- sively on VA loans and serving the needs of Veteran and Military families in their communities. "We saw a gap in the market," Stier said. "There weren't many lenders who really understood the ins and outs of the VA process, and we wanted to change that. Our team is dedicated to ensuring veterans get the benefits they've earned." Stier has more than 21 years of expe- rience in the mortgage industry. He has built a reputation as a trusted, knowl- edgeable, and approachable loan officer who goes above and beyond for his clients. Known as the "VA Loan Boss," Stier combines expertise with a deep passion for serving veterans, military members, and their families through Veteran Community Mortgage. INTERLINC WELCOMES NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER InterLinc Mortgage has named Doug Opdycke to its team as Business Development Manager, bringing fresh insights and expertise to drive new growth opportunities. With an uncon- ventional career path and 24 years of experience in mortgage recruiting, Opdycke is set to shake things up and drive innovation and growth within the company. From his beginnings as an art major to stints as an entrepreneur and stock trader, Opdycke's journey is anything but ordinary. His passion for the mort- gage industry ignited when a Regional VP recruited him during the closing of his first home—a chance moment that launched his calling. Throughout his career, Doug has es- tablished a notable reputation with leading industry organizations such as Country- wide, MetLife, iMortgage, Fairway, Nations, and FBC. He takes pride in fostering meaningful connections with candidates, firmly believing that strong relationships are essential for driving success. "In an industry where reputation and operational integrity are everything, InterLinc has always stood out," Op- dycke said. "I'm thrilled to be joining a team that's as committed to quality and resilience as I am—and to help us look