HousingWire Honors Nik Athanasiou as a 2019 Insider
Chicago, Ill., September 19, 2019 -- Rate, one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the nation, congratulates Chief Operating Officer Nik Athanasiou, for being named a HousingWire 2019 Insider.
The honor is bestowed annually to “operational superstars” driving the housing industry who are absolutely essential to the performance of their companies within the housing space.
“Nik is certainly an individual who deserves recognition on HousingWire’s 2019 Insiders List,” said Victor Ciardelli, Founder and CEO of Rate. “Nik has played an integral role in the disciplined growth of our Company and his embodiment of our core values, as well as his commitment to our employees and customers, is unmatched. Nik’s rare combination of strategic insight combined with a hands-on ability to produce results have been an essential ingredient in Rate’s on-going success.”
Athanasiou, who oversees the Company’s national growth, received the Insider Award in response to the vision and strategic leadership he consistently provides to Rate. After opening the company’s first New England branch in Boston in 2009, he moved to the corporate headquarters in Chicago in 2011 to run Rate’s Direct Division. In less than two years, he guided an operation of 150 employees and $400 million in loan volume to one with 400 employees that funded $2 billion. Currently, Athanasiou runs operations and innovation for Rate Companies, which funded nearly $24 billion in 2018.
The results he’s delivered have been recognized throughout the mortgage industry. Crain’s Chicago Business included Nik in its prestigious “40 Under 40” list in 2017, noting the company’s rapid growth and his strategic leadership during his tenure.
Since 2000, Rate has built a foundation of delivering competitive pricing, mortgage products and unmatched expertise from its top-producing loan officers, helping thousands of customers move into their dream homes. The company introduced the world’s first Digital Mortgage, creating an easy-to-understand, transparent loan process, which has led to an industry-leading customer satisfaction rating and exponential growth.
About Rate Companies
The Rate Companies, which includes Rate Inc., and Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC, has over 5,000 employees in a total of 700 offices across the U.S and will fund $36 billion in 2019. Headquartered in Chicago, Rate Inc. is one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the United States. Founded in 2000 and licensed in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., it has helped homeowners nationwide with home purchase loans and refinances. The company has established itself as an industry leader by introducing innovative technology, offering low rates and delivering unparalleled customer service. 2017 marked the launch of Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC, a mortgage origination joint venture between Rate, Inc. and Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in residential real estate franchising and brokerage. Collectively, the companies have earned honors and awards including: "Top Lender for Online Service" for 2018 by U.S. News & World Report; No. 3 ranking in Scotsman Guide's Top Retail Mortgage Lenders 2018; Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces list for seven consecutive years; and Best Online Lender and Best Lender for FHA Streamline Refinance by NerdWallet in 2019. Visit rate.com for more information.