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Contact
Rosemary Ostmann
Rose Communications
201-656-7178, ext. 201
201-615-7751 cell
rostmann@rosecomm.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MORTGAGE HARMONY CORP. PARTNERS WITH 1st COMMONWEALTH BANK OF VIRGINIA TO SELL HARMONY
LOANS
Community Bank Becomes First in the Nation to Offer Interest Rate-Resetting Mortgage
TYSONS CORNER, Va. (December 9, 2009) – Mortgage Harmony Corp., a provider of innovative
residential mortgage products, today announced it signed an agreement with 1st Commonwealth
Bank of Virginia that makes the bank the first to sell the Harmony Loan™, a mortgage
designed to adapt to consumer needs in changing economic environments.
The Harmony Loan also brings a patented, ongoing compensation structure to the loan
officer, which aligns the interests of the consumer, the loan officer and the bank
in a way that is unprecedented in the mortgage industry. The bank's first Harmony
Loan will be originated this week.
"The Harmony Loan is the first product in the mortgage industry that is truly consumer
centric. In the past, homeowners had to choose between playing roulette with an
adjustable rate loan or refinancing every time interest rates dropped with a fixed
rate mortgage," said Shane Chalke, president of Mortgage Harmony. "The Harmony Loan
adapts to lowering interest rates without the risk inherent in adjustable rate products.
As a relatively new financial institution, 1st Commonwealth Bank of Virginia recognizes
the days of short-term mortgage products are behind us and we applaud their taking
a leadership position by becoming the first to sell this product."
Designed to bring long-term stability to the housing finance industry, the product
is now available through 1st Commonwealth Bank of Virginia as a 3/1, 5/1 or 7/1
adjustable rate mortgage.
"The Harmony Loan is unique in that it is win-win for everyone: The bank keeps a
loan they might lose to a refinance; the consumer has the flexibility to change
their rate when it goes down; and the loan officer is assured recurring compensation
from the bank," said Ernie Tressler, president and chief executive officer of 1st
Commonwealth Bank of Virginia.
1st Commonwealth Bank of Virginia customers who secure a Harmony Loan will be able
to take advantage of lower interest rates without the effort and expense of refinancing.
They can generally lower their rate as often as every 120 days with a phone call,
assuming their payment history is solid and they meet the rate reset parameters.
"We believe the Harmony Loan is the first mortgage product that a homeowner can
feel confident will last as long as they stay in their home," said Craig Chapman,
Managing Director, Mortgage Services for 1st Commonwealth Bank of Virginia. "It's
a flexible, durable offering that will enable us to build stronger relationships
with our customers and retain the best loan officers in the business."
About Mortgage Harmony Corp.
Mortgage Harmony Corp. designs, develops and distributes innovative residential
mortgage products for mid-size and large banks, credit unions and mortgage companies.
Its mission is to create products and services that properly align the economic
incentives of all participants of a mortgage transaction and bring long-term stability
to the housing finance industry. For more information on Mortgage Harmony and the
Harmony Loan™, please visit www.mortgageharmony.com.
About 1st Commonwealth Bank of Virginia
Founded in February 2009, 1st Commonwealth Bank of Virginia is federally chartered
and serves business and individual customers in the Metropolitan D.C. area. It provides
standard checking and savings accounts, mortgages, lines of credit, business loans
and IOLTAs for lawyers. The most dynamic community bank in Arlington, 1st Commonwealth
Bank of Virginia was started by seasoned bankers and mortgage professionals to deliver
high-quality, high-touch service to customers in its neighborhood and beyond. For
more information, please visit www.1cbva.com.
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