PMP was founded in late 1999 by Barton Pitts, president, and 6 top-producing Illinois based loan officers. The company literally operated out of Pitts' basement for the first few weeks while office space was being prepared. In January 2000, the group moved into its new Downers Grove, Illinois headquarters, and its first branch office in Elmhurst, Illinois.

From inception, the company's growth strategy was based on a fundamental understanding that top-producing loan officers can bring their business to any mortgage company they choose. PMP would need to be different to attract and retain top talent.

To that end, Pitts quickly converted from a mortgage broker to a mortgage banker. This gave its employees more control over the entire mortgage process, allowing them to make underwriting decisions in-house and close and fund loans more efficiently. Mortgage Bankers also get better rates than brokers - a must-have for top-producers. Pitts also quickly obtained the necessary approvals to originate FHA loans, VA Loans and loans funded by the Illinois Housing and Development Authority. Now, with a full product menu, mortgage banking capabilities, and an aggressive comp plan, PMP was poised for big growth.

In 2003, PMP opened its second branch office in Naperville, IL. Branches soon followed in Chicago (now 4 offices), Barrington, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, and Crown Point, Indiana.

One trend quickly emerged that Pitts refers to as his "secret ingredient." PMP's "No Rookies" policy. As a general rule, PMP does not hire inexperienced loan officers. Rookie loan officers make lots of mistakes and require lots of operational attention, getting in the way of top producing originators. As a result, PMP's back office has become extremely efficient because they are able to focus only on loans originated by knowledgeable originators. An efficient back office is widely responsible for PMP's extremely low employee turnover rate.

9 years after inception, PMP has become one of Chicagoland's largest mortgage originators. In 2008, the company will close over $1.6 billion in volume. Rapid growth landed PMP a spot on INC Magazine's top 5000 list.

Other publications have recognized PMP's success as well. In 2007, seven Professional Mortgage Partners loan officers were awarded spots on Mortgage Originator Magazine's "Top 200 List." Click here for more information. And in August of 2006, Real Estate Executive Magazine highlighted PMP in its Lender Profile section. Click here for more information.