Guaranteed Rate
The winner of last year’s “Best Lender” Agents’ Choice award, Guaranteed Rate has become one of the largest and fastest growing independent mortgage lenders in the country, with licenses in 44 states, 1,100 employees and $6.9 billion in mortgage funding in 2010 alone.
Operating on a straightforward business model structured to provide its customers with the right products, rates and service, Guaranteed Rate has approached lending in recent years in a seemingly counterintuitive way. Founded in 2000 at the genesis of the housing boom, 
lending activity from Guaranteed Rate has not slowed with the financial markets. While some banks have decreased their lending and clouded their procedures, Guaranteed Rate has increased lending and streamlined its processes – without compromising its bottom line or reputation.
By building a team of industry-leading mortgage professionals from whom it expects the best, Guaranteed Rate strives to optimize the mortgage experience for its customers and assist its employees in achieving their professional and personal goals.
“Guaranteed Rate is delighted to be chosen Lender of the Year by the Chicagoland Realtor community. Guaranteed Rate’s business model has always placed the highest emphasis on helping our Realtor partners grow their businesses, so winning this honor is especially rewarding for us. We help our Realtor partners succeed in part by offering great mortgage rates and products, but we also go the extra mile by offering several unique and innovative tools to our Realtor partners that help differentiate them in the marketplace. Thank you again for this award, and be assured that Guaranteed Rate will continue to work diligently in the years ahead in helping Chicagoland Realtors succeed in growing their own businesses.” Victor Ciardelli, CEO and president, Guaranteed Rate
RUNNERS-UP:
Mortgage Services, III; PHH Home Loans