As a certified public accountant, Tony Lupescu worked as an auditor for three years before joining the mortgage industry. “I was trained through that industry to pay attention to every little detail, which translates very well into structuring mortgage loans,” says Lupescu, senior loan officer with Fifth Third Bank. “One minor detail can change the entire structure of a loan.”
One of Lupescu’s niches is the bank’s physician loan program; he originates loans in many states throughout the country for doctors and dentists. Though he built his base in Chicago, clients continue to return to him when they move out of state. As a result, he has built relationships with many realtors and financial planners across the nation, who refer him to their clients regardless of where they live. “They know distance does not impact our ability to provide the best deal and client experience,” Lupescu says. “Not only do we help our clients from pre-approval through closing, but we also help them after closing.”
Lupescu credits his team, which is always available to answer clients’ questions, for differentiating him from other loan officers in the industry. “We have a great synergy,” he says. “Everyone knows the goal is to make the transaction as smooth as possible.”
Every year since 2012, Lupescu has been a top producer with Fifth Third Bank. In May 2019, he had the largest funding month in the history of Fifth Third Bank Mortgage, closing more than $26.5 million in volume. In 2018, Mortgage Executive magazine counted Lupescu among its Top 100 Loan Officers in the country, based on volume. He has also been ranked among the Top 200 Mortgage Loan Originators in the United States by Mortgage Executive magazine and Scotsman Guide for the third consecutive year.
Clients appreciate that Lupescu is straightforward, honest and thorough in his work, always telling them the reality of their situation rather than what he thinks they want to hear. “My clients know that I will take the time to answer their questions, so they are not left wondering what is going on or what is going to happen moving forward,” he says. “They know that they can rely on the information I provide.”
