Embrace Home Loans
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mortgage lending |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Dennis Hardiman |
| Headquarters | Newport, Rhode Island , United States |
Area served | 46 states and Washington, D.C. |
Key people | Ryan "Buddy" Hardiman (President), Kurt Noyce (Financial Institution Services Division head) |
| Products | Residential mortgage loans |
Number of employees | 500+ |
Embrace Home Loans Inc., previously known as Advanced Financial Services Inc. (AFS), is a privately held American mortgage lender providing comprehensive direct lending services. The company is based in Newport, Rhode Island and holds licenses to operate in 46 states plus Washington, D.C.. Embrace serves residential mortgage clients through a network of 25 branches situated along the East Coast of the United States, employing a workforce exceeding 500 individuals.
Company
Established in 1983 by entrepreneur Dennis Hardiman, Embrace functions as a direct lender affiliated with both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It is recognized as an Equal Housing Lender and is authorized to issue securities backed by the Ginnie Mae. The company is also approved to offer loan products insured by the FHA and VA programs, demonstrating a wide-ranging mortgage product lineup.
Embrace holds servicing approvals from:
- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
- United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Ginnie Mae
The firm maintains active membership in key industry groups such as:
- Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)
- Direct Marketing Association (DMA)
- FNMA Regional Advisory Council
These organizational affiliations and its corporate framework contribute significantly to Embrace’s strong position within the mortgage lending sector.
Awards
- Ranked among the Top 25 Mortgage Companies nationwide (2014)
- Kurt Noyce listed in 100 Most Influential Mortgage Executives (2014)
- Recognized as one of Rhode Island’s Fastest-Growing Companies (2013)
- Awarded Best Place to Work in Rhode Island for multiple years (2006–2009, 2011–2013)
- Included in the 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America on several occasions (2004, 2005, 2007–2009, 2012)
- Received Business Excellence Award for Community Involvement (2006)
Recent News
Following the introduction of Retail Branch Origination in 2009 and the establishment of a Correspondent Origination Division in 2013, Embrace has broadened its national presence. This expansion includes opening its 20th Retail Branch located in Charlottesville, VA, which focuses on partnerships with realtors, builders, and referral networks.
In December 2017, Kurt Noyce, who served as President of Embrace Home Loans for 18 years, was appointed to oversee the Financial Institution Services Division. In 2024, leadership continuity was maintained with Ryan "Buddy" Hardiman stepping into the role of President.
Charity
Demonstrating commitment to corporate social responsibility, Embrace provides employees with 100 hours of paid volunteer time annually and matches individual charitable contributions up to $2,500 per employee each year.