Bing Crosby Get it Sold Event
Over 200 of the desert’s Top Producing Realtors partied “Hollywood Style” at the estate formerly owned by legendary entertainer: Bing Crosby. Considered to be one of the more famous homes in the area, this glamorous property is known for its celebrity guests, including Marilyn Monroe and President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Represented by Marc Lange and Carl Blea of HOM Sotheby’s Int’l Realty, the 7,000 sq. ft. residence in Thunderbird Heights was designed for entertaining at its finest and offers a stunning interior, elegant bedroom suites, lavish outdoor setting and majestic views. Numerous real estate agents promoted their own luxury listings during the business portion of the event, called “GET IT SOLD”. Guests enjoyed catering by Lulu CA Bistro and 50’s & 60’s music by S.I.R. Palm Springs. This Luxury Real Estate Event was sponsored by Walter Neil of Franklin Loan Center, Willie Rhine of Lulu CA Bistro, Benjamin Sullivan of KBC Palm Springs, Charissa Farley of Farley Pavers, Kenny Cassady of Oranj Palm Vacation Homes, Robert Sabo of Desert Moving Company, Chad Ballard of Casswood Insurance, and Randee Bayne of Palm Springs Life HOMES Magazine.
FRANKLIN LOAN CENTER NAMED IN THE INNAUGURAL GATOR 100 AS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING GATOR-LED BUSINESSES IN AMERICA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PALM DESERT, CA – (December 9, 2014) – Franklin Loan Center has been named to this year’s Gator100. Alumni from the University of Florida have created and guided some of the most innovative and profitable businesses in the nation and the world. UF's Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) recognizes these amazing entrepreneurs with the launch of the inaugural Gator100. The Gator100 honors the 100 fastest-growing, Gator-owned or Gator-led businesses in the world. The Gator100 serves not only as a setting where UF's elite entrepreneurs can gather and share their talents and wisdom, but also as an inspiration to fellow Gators to be a part of this exclusive group.
Walter K. Neil is the President and CEO of Franklin Loan Center and a proud alumnus of the University of Florida and brings the entrepreneurial spirit of the Gator100 to his local community. Under Walter’s leadership, Franklin has expanded to become a thriving part of the business community and focused on bringing the best mortgage lending experience to the desert’s borrowers. Providing personalized, expert service is a hallmark of Walter’s commitment to the community and, as a leader in the field, frequently provides seminars and educational sessions to the area’s real estate industry on the changing nature of the mortgage business, programs and regulations.
“The Gator100 is an important initiative that recognizes entrepreneurial excellence,” explains Dr. Michael Morris, the Academic Director of the entrepreneurship program at UF. “It is open to any and all companies founded or run by Gator alumni, and recognizes those who are achieving growth, innovating, and making a difference in their communities.” The first Gator100 Awards Celebration where rankings will be revealed is scheduled to be held on February 6, 2015.
Franklin Loan Center is the largest independent mortgage lender in the Coachella Valley, this year celebrating its 25th anniversary of service to the area. . Mr. Neil graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Business Administration. He is married with three beautiful children. Walter currently serves on the finance committee and auditing committee for Palm Valley School and is a member in the YPO (Young Presidents Organization). Franklin Loan Center was recognized this year on Inc. Magazine’s 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America.
For more information visit www.franklinlc.com or contact us at info@franklinlc.com.
FRANKLIN LOAN CENTER HOSTS 2014 CLIENT APPRECIATION PARTY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PALM DESERT, CA – (December 9, 2014) – Franklin Loan Center held its annual Client Appreciation Party on Thursday, December 4th at their Palm Desert headquarters. The event was a success bringing in over 450 guests who partnered with Franklin over the year. The party had great food and drinks, photo covers from Palm Springs Life magazine, DJ, video screens, and a lot of celebration. Franklin’s event team, Ruth’s Chris™ and TMC Entertainment put the memorable event together to say ‘thank you’ to the businesses, partners, and clients who helped make a successful 2014.
“Our yearly event is a way for us to thank the people in the desert that help make us successful,” said Walter Neil, President and CEO of Franklin, “it’s now a regular event everyone looks forward to, to kick off the holiday season”.
Franklin Loan Center is the largest independent mortgage lender in the Coachella Valley, this year celebrating its 25th anniversary of service to the area. Franklin provides a premiere lending experience to clients with local processing, underwriting, docs and funding functions handled on site by an expert team and offers a wide variety of tailored products to the borrower. With over 85 employees and offices in Palm Desert, Palm Springs, LA, Pasadena, Orange County, Chicago and co-locations at our real estate partners, Franklin is fast growing to cover Southern California.
For more information visit www.franklinlc.com or contact us at info@franklinlc.com.
TMC Entertainment is an independently owned and operated entertainment company, based in the Coachella Valley. Specializing in all types of events, “there is no event to big or small they can’t handle.”
For more information 760.449.7671 or email at tmcentertainment@gmail.com
Franklin Sponsors Tour of Luxury Homes in Mirada
Jon Caruana, Valery Neuman, Walter Neil
The Top 100 Realtors in the desert toured Luxury Homes in Miranda, Rancho Mirage, totaling over $20 million! A Pre-Party Caravan introduced the new models at Villas at Miranda, represented by Linda Pavelich of Davidson Communities. Located in Miranda Estates, Valery Neuman, of HOM Sotheby's, welcomed colleagues to three of her properties on Miranda Circle and Rock crest Drive and Windermere agents Ryan Pylypow and Brenda Scott toured guests at their two listings on Miranda circle.
The evening's Grand Finale was a Country Style Estate Party at a magnificent $3,499,000 residence, located at 30 Grande View Court, and hosted by Janell Fontes of Windermere Real Estate. With Country Music, BBQ and canapes provided by Lulu CA Bistro and even Cowboy hats worn by sponsors, Janell welcomed other agents to promote their luxury listings with an outdoor screen presentation.
This event was made possible through the generosity of major sponsor Walter Neil of Franklin Loan Center, Kenny Cassady of Oranj Palm Vacation Homes, Robert Sabo of Desert Moving Co., Chad Ballard of Casswood Insurance, Bill and Jim Bellamy of California Pools and Randee Bayne of Palm Springs Life HOMES Magazine.
Franklin Loan Corporation Reaches Settlement with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
PALM DESERT, CA: Franklin Loan Corporation (FLC) announced today the settlement of an ongoing Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) investigation initiated by the CFPB. In December of 2013, FLC was served with a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) on what the CFPB believed were inappropriate practices including loan officer compensation and affiliated business arrangements covering the period from January 1st, 2011 through December 18th, 2013. FLC has maintained from the beginning of the investigation that all of its business practices, without exception, were and are fully compliant with the law. Through the course of the investigation and with FLC’s assistance to the CFPB, items in the original demand were dropped during the almost yearlong investigation. Understanding the importance of the CFPB’s mandate to protect the consumer, FLC fully cooperated in every request made during the entire period.
At the conclusion of the investigation the CFPB informed FLC that unless a settlement could be reached (Consent Order), they intended to pursue a claim against FLC, based on the CFPB’s contention th at bonuses FLC had paid to its loan originators during the period of July 2011 through January 2013 did not conform to the Truth in Lending Act’s Loan Originator Compensation Rule (LO Comp Rule). FLC did, and still does, dispute this contention. FLC asserts there was no relationship between LO Comp and interest rates to consumers, and FLC is proud of the competitive costs and excellent customer service offered to its clients. Nevertheless, FLC concluded that the most economic option for it was to enter into the Consent Order rather than a protracted legal dispute that could go on indefinitely, taking time and resources away from the company’s core functions.
The Consent Order filed with the court contains no admission of wrongdoing of any kind by FLC and requires that the company pay the sum of $730,000 to the CFPB. Moreover, there was no finding of wrongdoing by any officer or principal of FLC or in its business relationships nor any findings that the company harmed consumers. While that is a significant sum of money, in the spectrum of CFPB Consent Orders it is actually relatively modest. Therefore it made good economic sense for FLC to agree to this Consent Order and conclude the matter.
“We are pleased to put this behind us,” stated Walter K. Neil, President and CEO of FLC. “While we believe that our compensation program was fully in compliance with the law and caused no harm to our clients, this Consent Order allows us to put the investigation to rest at an acceptable cost and remove any uncertainties going forward. We can now fully focus on the business of helping our clients get the high level of service they have come to expect from Franklin.”
FLC is pleased that this matter is resolved and that it’s now free to focus on its primary responsibility of serving the needs of its clients and partners and providing the excellent service it has built a reputation on for the past 25 years. FLC remains in strong financial health, with a growing presence in Southern California and a team of people second to none. This year, Franklin was named as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in America on the Inc. 5000. Franklin Loan Corporation is the largest independent mortgage banker in the Coachella Valley and has been serving the community for 25 years.
Inc. 5000 Recognizes Franklin Loan Center
Franklin Loan Center was recognized this year on Inc. Magazine’s 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America.
Inc., the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies, delivers real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. It provides hands-on resources and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology. Inc. also looks beyond work to address the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Inc. inspires and informs, with cutting-edge coverage that reflects readers' energy, brashness, and imagination