Caliber Funding hires 300 former MetLife employees
By Kerri Panchuk
• February 13, 2012 • 3:24pm

Wholesale and retail mortgage lender Caliber Funding is hiring 300 former MetLife ($30.65 -0.31%) employees as it expands operations.

The company is breaking into four regional markets: the Great Lakes, New England, Philadelphia and Washington.

Dallas-based Caliber Funding is the second lender to hire former employees of MetLife Home Loans, after the insurance giant left the space.

Metlife reached a deal with EverBank last week to sell its warehouse finance business. That deal is expected to close in the first half of the year.

HomeStreet Bank also hired more than 160 former MetLife employees.

Caliber announced its intention Monday to make more hires over the coming week, although the firm did not elaborate on how many hires.

"This is a game-changing announcement for Caliber," said CEO Brian Simon. "This expansion significantly enhances our operations, accelerates our growth profile and unlocks substantial business opportunities by positioning Caliber solidly in four additional, highly attractive markets. The sales leadership that we are bringing to Caliber is among the best in the business."

kpanchuk@housingwire.com

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