From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leadership
What started in 1986 as a two-person mortgage lender, Shore Mortgage, evolved into United Wholesale Mortgage with one big vision: to make homeownership more accessible. Today, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, that vision is a reality. UWM has become the nation’s #1 overall wholesale mortgage lender for four consecutive years by delivering the fastest, easiest and most-affordable loan options through the help of independent mortgage brokers. Behind this success is one driving force — our people.
Moments That Shaped Our Success
In 2003, Mat Ishbia joined UWM as part of a 12-person team. Today, he leads as our CEO — but back then, we were just laying the foundation for growth. That same year, we made a bold decision to bring account executives in-house, ensuring brokers had dedicated support and our team was always available for calls, follow-ups and collaboration. That move became a cornerstone of our success, empowering our team members to become true experts.
Nearly a decade later, in 2012, we formalized our company culture with six core pillars that guide everything we do — from supporting brokers to driving innovation. The first pillar, People Are Our Greatest Asset, reflects what we’ve always believed: Success starts with a team that embraces challenges and drives progress together.
Throughout four decades of transformation, one theme has continued to shape our journey: the caring and commitment of our team. As our COO Melinda Wilner explains, “What connects us all is how much our team cares about one another and how that care naturally carries over to how we serve our clients every day. Everything else builds from there!" That foundation of care is what drives advancement, fuels friendships and keeps us striving to deliver more for our clients and each other.
Each milestone along the way didn’t just shape our company — they helped transform an entire industry. This mindset has powered 40 years of excellence at UWM, proving that our success is built on team members who embrace challenges, adapt to change and confidently pave their own career paths.
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
Our success is sustained by how our team members push themselves every day. Guided by our fifth pillar, Continuous Improvement, we invest in development through industry-leading training and technology. This principle shows up in countless ways. Nick R., Application Architect, shares his perspective:
“Continuous improvement is how a small initiative becomes an enterprise capability. We started with a narrow — use case for one of our now — primary workflow tools. This technology became part of the business not because we pushed it, but because iterative improvements made it genuinely useful.”
This evolution reflects the heart of continuous improvement: small, thoughtful changes that compound into transformative results. By building our own technology in-house and partnering with other companies to customize and integrate third-party solutions, we create scalable solutions that empower our people and clients to deliver greater value.
Growth at Every Stage
In 2018, we moved into our 610,000 sq ft. headquarters in Pontiac, Michigan — a space designed to foster collaboration and growth. Two years later, in 2020, we added a 1,000-foot enclosed pedestrian bridge connecting our north and south buildings, creating a campus designed for integration and teamwork.
Today, more than 9,000 team members work together daily to continue making homeownership dreams a reality — a testament to the strength of our people and the culture we’ve built. Team members advance through hands‑on training, job shadowing and mentorship, with support at every stage — from entry‑level roles to leadership — so they can confidently take the next step forward.
Through initiatives like Team Member Resource Groups (TMRGs), our people find added support and community, helping everyone feel connected and empowered to thrive. For 40 years, we’ve nurtured a culture of inclusion and belonging that grows stronger as we grow — making sure every individual feels like part of the family no matter our size. From team events and wellness programs to volunteer opportunities and shared interest groups, UWM offers countless ways to connect, collaborate and make our campus feel like home.
Join Us for the Next 40 Years
Over the years, UWM has grown beyond wholesale lending — expanding our family of brands and innovations to better serve brokers, homebuyers and partners. From launching Mortgage Matchup to connecting homebuyers with local brokers, and to introducing Mia, our AI-powered virtual Loan Officer Assistant, to partnering with organizations like the NBA and WNBA, we’re consistently pushing ourselves and the industry forward.
And we’re not stopping there. The way we see it, we’re just getting started. As we look ahead, our focus remains on creating new opportunities, driving technology forward and strengthening relationships across the mortgage industry. In 2026 and beyond, there’s only one direction we’re heading — up.
Join us as we continue this collective journey and help shape our next chapter of success together.
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