Velocity Financial, Inc. operates as a vertically integrated real estate finance company. The company originates, securitizes, and manages a nationwide portfolio of loans secured by real estate to earn attractive risk adjusted spreads for its shareholders.
The company primarily originates investor loans secured by 1–4-unit residential rental properties, as well as loans for multi-family, mixed use and commercial properties. The company originates loans nationwide across its extensive network of...
Velocity Financial, Inc. operates as a vertically integrated real estate finance company. The company originates, securitizes, and manages a nationwide portfolio of loans secured by real estate to earn attractive risk adjusted spreads for its shareholders.
The company primarily originates investor loans secured by 1–4-unit residential rental properties, as well as loans for multi-family, mixed use and commercial properties. The company originates loans nationwide across its extensive network of independent mortgage brokers and direct borrower relationships.
The company operates in a large and highly fragmented market, with substantial demand for financing and limited supply of institutional financing alternatives. The company offers competitive pricing for its borrowers by pursuing low-cost financing strategies and by driving front-end process efficiencies through customized technology, which is designed to control the cost of originating a loan. Furthermore, by originating loans through its efficient and scalable network of approved mortgage brokers, the company is able to maintain a wide geographical presence, and nimble operating infrastructure capable of reacting quickly to changing market environments.
The company’s primary growth strategy is predicated on organically continuing to serve and build loyalty within its network of mortgage brokers, while also expanding its network with new mortgage brokers through targeted marketing and improved brand awareness. The company continues to opportunistically pursue inorganic growth strategies, such as acquiring portfolios of loans that meet its investment criteria and acquisitions of businesses that align with its strategic vision.
The company makes loans for business purposes only, which limits its exposure to the regulatory constraints of consumer lending.
On December 28, 2021, the company acquired an 80% ownership interest in Century Health & Housing Capital, LLC (“Century”). Century is a licensed Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae” or “GNMA”) issuer/servicer that provides government-insured Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”) mortgage financing for multifamily housing, senior housing and long-term care/assisted living facilities. Century originates loans through its borrower-direct origination channel and services the loans through its in-house servicing platform, which enables the formation of long-term relationships with its clients and drives strong portfolio retention. Century earns origination fees from originating loans, and servicing fees from mortgage servicing rights on its servicing portfolio. Century is a consolidated subsidiary of the company as of completion of the acquisition. In addition, as a servicer of Ginnie Mae loans, Century is required to maintain a minimum net worth; and was in compliance with this requirement as of December 31, 2024.
Growth Strategy
The company’s organic growth strategy is predicated on further penetrating its existing network of mortgage brokers and expanding its network with new mortgage brokers. A key element of the company’s implementation of this strategy is the growth and development of its team of account executives, as well as targeted marketing initiatives.
The company continues to opportunistically pursue inorganic growth strategies, such as acquiring portfolios of loans that meet its investment criteria, and acquisitions of businesses that align with its strategic vision.
The key elements of the company’s strategy are to further penetrate its existing mortgage broker network; expand its network with new mortgage brokers; develop new products; and opportunistically acquire portfolios of loan and acquire strategically aligned businesses.
Portfolio
Loans Held for Investment
The company’s typical investor real estate loan is secured by a first lien on the underlying property with the added protection of a personal guarantee. As of December 31, 2024, the company’s portfolio of loans held for investment totaled $5.1 billion of unpaid principal balance, or UPB, on properties in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Of the 12,934 loans held for investment as of December 31, 2024, 99.5% of the portfolio, as measured by UPB, was attributable to the company’s loan origination business, while the remaining 0.5% of the portfolio, or 68 loans, totaling $35.4 million in UPB, were related to acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the company originated 4,532 loans to be held for investment.
As of December 31, 2024, 91.4% of the company’s loans held for investment, as measured by UPB, were fully-amortizing over 30 years. The principal amount of a fully-amortizing loan is repaid ratably over the term of the loan, as compared to a balloon loan where all, or a substantial portion of, the original loan amount is due in a single payment at the maturity date.
As of December 31, 2024, the company’s loans held for investment had a weighted average LTV at origination of 66.6%. Additionally, as of December 31, 2024, borrowers personally guaranteed 100.0% of the loans in its held for investment portfolio and had a weighted average credit score at origination of 704, excluding the 1.3% of loans for which a credit score is not available.
Financing Strategy
The company typically finances its new loan originations using warehouse facilities. Once the company has originated between approximately $200 million and $350 million in new loans, the company securitizes the loans through a real estate mortgage investment conduit, or REMIC, structure and issue the bonds to third parties through individual trust vehicles.
Government Regulation
The company holds a Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, Title II approval from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which permits it to make certain government-insured loans. With the acquisition of Century, the company is a licensed Ginnie Mae (GNMA) issuer/servicer that provides government-insured Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage financing for multifamily housing, senior housing and long-term care/assisted living facilities. As a licensed Ginnie Mae issuer/servicer, the company is subject to GNMA's regulations.
History
Velocity Financial, Inc. was founded in 2004. The company was incorporated in 2012.