How Neighborhood Loans Scaled Smart With Genesis by OptiFunder

A Story of People‑First Leadership, Operational Excellence, and Technology‑Driven Growth

When it comes to IMBs that blend culture, innovation, and operational discipline, Neighborhood Loans has become a standout success story. Founded by two lifelong friends and built on a foundation of people-first leadership, the company has grown from a small broker shop into a thriving retail lender — and their trajectory continues upward.

But growth at scale doesn’t happen by accident. It takes strategic investment in people, technology, and processes that are built to support loan officers and empower operational teams. For Neighborhood Loans, OptiFunder has become a critical piece of that strategy.

A Vision of Growth — Powered by a Loan Officer–Driven Model

Neighborhood Loans proudly operates as a loan officer–centric organization. Every decision, from workflow improvements to tech adoption, is filtered through one question:

“Will this make life easier for our loan officers?”

The result is a culture where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to succeed — so much so that many who leave end up returning.

“I’ve left twice for a ‘better opportunity,’ and I keep coming back. The ideas just keep flowing. In a word, it’s awesome.”
— Chris DiFranco, Funding Manager

This culture has fueled impressive production results. In 2025, Neighborhood Loans funded $3.5 billion — and they’re projected to reach nearly $4 billion in 2026.

But with rapid growth came new pressures: more volume, changing warehouse lines, and increasing complexity.

That’s where OptiFunder entered the picture.

The Challenge: Scale Without Adding Cost or Complexity

Like many IMBs, Neighborhood Loans faced an operational bottleneck:

• Manual warehouse line allocations were time‑consuming
• Spreadsheet‑driven decisioning left room for error
• Funding cycles slowed during peak periods
• Net interest margin was slipping into the negative
• Profitability was under pressure in an inverted yield environment

Leadership needed a better way to optimize liquidity, minimize manual work, and support rapid growth — all without increasing headcount.

The Turning Point: Genesis by OptiFunder, A Warehouse Management System (WMS for Mortgage Originators)

Implementing Genesis by OptiFunder transformed Neighborhood Loans’ funding workflows.

Key capabilities that changed the game:

• Funding Optimization Engine - Automated warehouse line selection using configurable rules, turn‑time, and available capacity.
• Batch Funding - Allowed funders to grab multiple loans and complete funding in a single action.
• Automated Data Checks - Reduced keystrokes and removed manual errors.
• Operational visibility - Helped leadership manage multiple warehouse lines — each with different terms — with confidence.

"From a funding perspective, OptiFunder has made our lives so much easier. The ability to fund multiple loans in one shot, pull all the data into a single Excel file, and batch documents for upload saves us countless hours. What used to be a manual, time-consuming process is now streamlined and efficient. OptiFunder gives us speed and accuracy, which means fewer errors and faster closings—exactly what our loan officers need. It’s one of those tools you can’t imagine working without once you’ve used it."

 — Chris DiFranco, Funding Manager 

Real Growth, Real Results

Once OptiFunder’s WMS went live, the impact was immediate — and measurable.

• 30% Volume Growth - Neighborhood Loans increased production dramatically without adding funders.
• Stable Headcount - The company has operated with four funders for three years, even as volume surged.
• Margin Recovery - Net interest margin improved from negative to +0.25% to +0.50%, driven by better line utilization and optimization.
• Operational Efficiency - Batch funding and automated decisioning reduced manual touches, eliminated repetitive work, and shortened end‑of‑day crunch time.

"OptiFunder has been a huge part of our growth story. In 2025, we closed about $3.5 billion in loans, and projecting nearly $4 billion for 2026. We’ve kept the same team of four funders for three years while increasing volume by 30%. Before OptiFunder, managing seven warehouse lines with different terms was a real challenge. Now, it’s streamlined, and we’re even hitting utilization bonuses. The impact on profitability has been significant—we went from losing money on net interest margin to being in the positive. OptiFunder didn’t just make things easier; it gave us the ability to scale efficiently and keep our loan officers happy because their loans close on time. For us, that’s everything."

— Michael Kennemer, Chief Financial Officer