National City Mortgage is among the top 10 U.S. lenders, and the company operates as a local firm, originating, approving and controlling the funding on virtually all its loan products.

Fountain Hills Branch Manager Kent Martinson said having the local control has enabled the company to grow in the community.

Customer service is what it is all about at National City Mortgage in Fountain Hills. The staff at the local office includes, from left, Leigh Smith, Fred Hartel, Scott Brendemuhl, Dorian Smith, Branch Manager Kent Martinson and Christina Ager. Not pictured is Debbie Farmer.

The Martinson team closed more than $1 billion in mortgages with $500 million closing in 5 ½ years. Vast improvements in technology and a growing client base have accelerated the growth.

The company services about $168 billion in mortgages. National City Mortgage rarely sells its paper, providing customers with a local representative to answer questions and to help with lending needs.

“We basically take care of a customer’s needs from the day an application is taken out to the day the mortgage is paid off,” Martinson said.

Martinson said the company’s philosophy is reflected in his own and his staff’s. The company motto is “No one Cares More.”

“The top people in National City Mortgage are so laid back but smart,” he said. “They are very customer oriented.”

Martinson cites the customer service factor for the success of the company. The local office has a 95 percent retention rate because the staff provides great service and products and is dedicated to working with the customer to satisfy virtually any mortgage need.

“We remember the customer who comes in to borrow $18,000 as much as we remember the one who borrows $1 million,” he said.’”

“We openly discuss the best possible options for each customer,” Martinson said. “We have a number of programs to help each type of borrower. And we treat each mortgage as if it were our own.”

Most loans can be approved in about an hour. Because of the system National City Mortgage has developed, customers remark about the ease of closings.

Martinson said National City Mortgage has an extensive product line allowing the company to finance all types of real estate: single family homes, town homes and condos, lots, commercial real estate and manufactured homes.

The company also develops products to work in current real estate markets. It recently rolled out a new program called “Promise and Protect,” a buydown program enabling a buyer to save significantly on the first three years of a mortgage, but also providing a seller with an incentive to offer the buyer.

“There is no downside risk to the borrower, and there is no charge for the Promise and Protect Program,” said Martinson.

“The Promise and Protect rate guarantee is set up on listings before a buyer is found. The buyer has a free float down to market rate if current rates are below the guarantee. If rates have risen, they are protected.

Fountain Hills Realtor Cindy Engel, with Keller Williams Realty, said the Promise and Protect Program is something she and other real estate agents are utilizing.

“In today’s market, we need as many opportunities and programs as possible to help both the buyer and the seller,” she said. “This is a great finance plan. It helps the market stay stable instead of declining.”

National City Mortgage also offers refinance programs, home equity financing and other services. In addition to Martinson, the Fountain Hills National City Mortgage office has two other loan officers, Fred Hartel and Scott Brendemuhl.

The other employees at the local office are Dorian Smith, senior loan processor, Leigh Smith and Debbie Farmer, who are loan processors. Christina Ager is administrative coordinator.

National City Mortgage is located at 13034 Verde River Drive. Call (480) 816-5555 for information. Service is available seven days a week. The toll-free number is 1 (877) 835-5230.