At Flat Branch Home Loans, we pride ourselves on embracing tradition AND innovation. It’s part of what makes us such a unique company to work with. We’re constantly looking for ways to continue to invest in our employees and clients. That’s why at this year’s all-company Rally, we announced that we are now 100% employee owned. By providing an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) to our FBHL team, we’re able to further invest in their futures as well as our own. But what is an ESOP, and why does it matter for you as a borrower?

What is an ESOP?

When a company adopts an employee stock ownership plan, the company is split up into shares which are distributed among employees. Those stocks then act as an investment for employees to sell back when they retire or leave the company. Essentially, it’s the same as public stockholding, but it’s all done within the company. The value of these stocks is dependent on the company revenue so they fluctuate annually, but the great thing about ESOP stock is that there is no buying, selling, or trading. The stocks are held from the employee’s start date to when they leave, at which point they sell their shares back to the company. This means that every eligible Flat Branch employee you speak to throughout your homebuying process has a personal stake in the success of Flat Branch Home Loans.

Why did we become an ESOP?

If you know Flat Branch Home Loans, you probably know Jim Yankee. He founded FBHL in 2005 with the vision of helping people finance their homes with a more personal touch. He started out doing everything from origination to signings, but his little company quickly grew into a family of over 500 strong in nearly 70 locations. Jim’s philosophy has always been to invest in his team. Becoming employee owned is a step forward in his (and now our) mission. We’re committed to ensuring that our employees have a voice in our organization. Becoming an ESOP acts as a promise to our FBHL family that we are invested in their future.

How will this help our borrowers?

Becoming an ESOP is exciting news for our employees, obviously, but what does it mean for you when you decide to finance a home with us? As a company owned by its employees, you can rest assured that every person you speak with at Flat Branch Home Loans feels a personal connection to your situation. From our originators to underwriters to our wonderful reception staff, we all care about your experience with our company because we’re invested in it! Ready to get started on your homebuying journey? Contact one of our experienced lenders (and owners!) today.

Owned by Us: The Future of Flat Branch Home Loans