Irwin Home Equity, a subsidiary of Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company (IUB) based in San Ramon, California, is a market-based consumer lender that purchases, sells, originates, and services several types of home equity lines of credit, home equity loans, and first mortgages using direct-to-consumer lending, brokers, correspondents, and strategic alliances.
The company started in 1994 when 7 employees developed a Home Equity Business Model in San Francisco’s financial district. The business moved on to bigger offices in San Ramon, and in the beginning of 1995, actual operations started with the mailing of 250,000 solicitations to residents in 10 states. By the end of the year, nearly $90 million was originated by Irwin Home Equity in variable rate Home Equity Lines of Credit, and fixed rate Home Equity Loan financing. As the company expanded, Irwin Home Equity introduced an Internet based Retail channel in 31 states in 1999. 53% of all the loan originations in 2005 were represented by this online channel.
Irwin Home Equity is now one of the leading forces in the High Loan to Value home equity lending market, offering first mortgages, 100% and 125% Home Equity...