[January 30, 2012]

Mortgage Industry Veteran Barry Habib Joins RFC as Chief Market Strategist

Barry Habib has returned to the mortgage industry as the chief market strategist for Residential Finance Corp. (RFC), a Columbus, Ohio-based lender. Habib, an American entrepreneur who created the Mortgage Market Guide, will provide his industry knowledge and forecasting abilities to RFC's retail branching division.

"I really believe the housing market is making a turnaround, and the mortgage market has stabilized so there is a tremendous upside to getting involved in these industries again," Habib said. "With that in mind, I started researching companies and found RFC, which has a platform and culture that I can be part of and help to grow. I was lucky to find the people at RFC, who are world class in their commitment to this industry."

Habib is well-known for the Mortgage Market Guide, which helps interpret and forecast activity in the mortgage rate and bond markets. He started the company in 2001; sold it in 2007 but remained as CEO until 2010.

During his 17 years in the financial industry, Habib has amassed such insight that he has become a sought-after speaker on financial markets, housing, negotiation, sales training, building relationships, technical trading analysis and motivation. Habib is also featured as a market expert on the FOX Network and in his Monthly Mortgage Report featured on CNBC's Squawk Box.

RFC has a 15-year history in the mortgage business and launched the retail branching division one year ago. The company tapped the expertise of retail branching veteran Daniel Jacobs as division president.

"Part of our strategy is building the best company with the industry's best talent," said Jacobs, "and investing in a Chief Market Strategist of Barry's caliber is proof of our commitment to our branch managers, originators and borrowers. We have a culture that supports the professional growth of our originators. That makes Barry a perfect match for our company.

"Today's marketplace is more demanding than ever of mortgage professionals and RFC is more supportive than ever with its training, resources and solid lending platform," continued Jacobs. "Our branches have a competitive advantage few others do with the addition of Barry and his insight, training, coaching and support."

RFC branches will have exclusive access to Habib's industry knowledge and forecasting abilities. He will provide daily video market updates to branch managers and originators as well as personal and sales coaching and on-site realtor and recruiting seminars.

"Having Barry on our team will help give our branch managers and the sales team a deeper understanding of the ever-changing market conditions so they can navigate the business and remain competitive," said Michael Isaacs, RFC's CEO and president.

RFC is deliberate about its strategy for success and plans to add 25 new branches nationwide in 2012. The company is focused on attracting market leaders, originating more than $5 million per month of referral based business, in communities large and small as the company grows its successful retail branching platform.

"The industry is stabilizing and returning to the same core values it was built on: relationships and excellence," Isaacs said. "We believe those companies that focus on quality today will be tomorrow's market leaders."

About Residential Finance Corp.

Founded in 1997, Residential Finance Corporation (RFC) (www.residentialfinance.com), offers homeowners and homebuyers nationwide a wide range of home mortgage loan options, including special lower-rate government-insured FHA and VA loans, residential mortgage loans, jumbo mortgage loans, and reverse mortgages. RFC's highly-trained staff delivers mortgage expertise and customer service excellence, winning the company many awards, including Columbus Business First Corporate Caring Award, Columbus Business Journal Best Place to Work, Florida Trends Best Company in Florida, American Business Award Sales Department of the Year, Inc Magazine INC5000 Fastest Growing Company, and American Society of Training and Development Excellence in Practice. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, RFC has branches throughout the country, and is seeking loan officers and branch managers to join their network of branches. For more information contact Jessica Manna at 614.255.4317 and for more information about RFC's retail branching opportunities, contact Daniel Jacobs at 614.255.3929, [email protected] or http://branching.residentialfinance.com/.

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