A Letter from Founder and CEO Deborah Sturges

Sudden change is seldom welcome, but one day in 2006 I found myself in the midst of significant change. Not only for me but for my friends and co-workers who had worked beside me every day. Waterfield Mortgage, a longtime Fort Wayne based company where I was senior vice president, was sold. 650 people, including me, lost their jobs. We were suddenly faced with many challenges both professional and personal. At first, I was devastated, but with time I realized it was an opportunity for positive change. After taking a couple of months to reflect, I decided that Fort Wayne still needed the type of home finance solutions we had been giving at Waterfield and that I wanted to be the one to continue that TRADITION OF SERVICE. The foundation for Hallmark was in place.

Sudden change is seldom welcome, but one day in 2006 I found myself in the midst of significant change. Not only for me but for my friends and co-workers who had worked beside me every day. Waterfield Mortgage, a longtime Fort Wayne based company where I was senior vice president, was sold. 650 people, including me, lost their jobs. We were suddenly faced with many challenges both professional and personal.

At first, I was devastated, but with time I realized it was an opportunity for positive change. After taking a couple of months to reflect, I decided that Fort Wayne still needed the type of home finance solutions we had been giving at Waterfield and that I wanted to be the one to continue that TRADITION OF SERVICE. The foundation for Hallmark was in place.

I set out to create a new and different mortgage company. The name had to express my desire to create a company made up of the best people in the industry, who share my commitment to always put YOU, our customer, first. The dictionary definition of Hallmark is: 1. A mark indicating quality or excellence. 2. Any mark or special indication of genuineness, good quality, etc. The name Hallmark Home Mortgage fit my vision for the company. My next step was to begin assembling the team that was going to help me realize my dream. The market was ripe with talented people. Most of them, I had worked with for years, and many were currently unemployed. So in the spring of 2007, with great people onboard, the ability to make all decisions in-house, and strong local financial backing, Hallmark Home Mortgage was born.

Fast forward over fifteen years, and Hallmark Home Mortgage continues to impact the communities it serves. We’ve expanded our footprint and have had the privilege of growing our excellent staff. Every employee at Hallmark plays a role in making their community better. We strive to play our part in many community initiatives. I know how rewarding service can be. Hallmark Home Mortgage is a place where community service is supported and encouraged. I have felt privileged and blessed to be surrounded by the exceptional group of professionals that make up Hallmark Home Mortgage. I am equally honored to be in a business that makes the dream of homeownership a reality for people every day. We look forward to the opportunity to earn your business. I invite you to experience the Hallmark Home Mortgage difference.

DEBORAH STURGES

PRESIDENT & CEO

HALLMARK HOME MORTGAGE

meet your hallmark home mortgage LEADERSHIP TEAM

Chrissy Buchanan

Executive Vice President

Brock Rauch

EVP, Business Support

Mark Etchison

EVP, Division Manager

Tonya Sweet

EVP, Chief Risk Officer

Scott Beer

Capital Markets Executive

Jeff Herr, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

EVP, Human Resources

Dan Schreiber

Chief Financial Officer

Steve Newell

Servicing Manager