KALAMAZOO, MI. (October 18, 2021) – Mark Jones, CEO and Co-Founder of Amerifirst Home Mortgage, was installed Sunday as Vice Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) for the 2022 membership year at its annual convention in San Diego.

The MBA is a national trade association that advocates on all facets of the real estate finance industry, including commercial, multi-family and residential sectors.

"The Mortgage Bankers Association is the premier voice for the real estate finance industry nationwide and plays a leading role in keeping the American dream of home ownership alive,” Jones said. “It is a true honor to be installed as MBA Vice Chairman for the upcoming membership year."

Located in Washington, DC., the MBA works with policymakers and regulators to strengthen the nation's residential and commercial real estate markets, expand homeownership, and extend access to affordable housing to all Americans.

In a press release published by MBA Sunday evening, the association announced that it had installed Kristy Williams Fercho, Executive Vice President & Head of Home Lending, Wells Fargo, as its first Black Chairman and only its fourth female to hold the position. It also announced that Matthew G. Rocco, Sr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, was installed as MBA's Vice Chairman for the 2021 membership year, along with Mark Jones as vice-chairman.

Jones co-founded Amerifirst as an independent community lender in 1983. The company has grown from a single location in Kalamazoo, Michigan, to over 80 full-service locations and 900 personnel nationwide. As an advocate for affordable homeownership with a mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, Amerifirst is the #1 USDA lender and #3 FHA lender in the State of Michigan, as well as the #13 FHA lender in the State of Florida. Amerifirst is a Ginnie Mae issuer and manages a $6 Billion servicing portfolio. In August 2020, Amerifirst established a new bilingual mortgage services division to meet the growing homeownership needs of the Hispanic community.

Jones has served on the Board of Directors of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and currently serves as chair of MBA’s Audit and Finance Committee. He previously served as co-chair of MBA’s Independent Mortgage Bankers Executive Council. Outside of MBA, Mark is a current board member and Public Policy Committee Chair at Southwest Michigan First, and serves as Chairman of Southwest Michigan First PAC. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Virginia Commonwealth University.

About Amerifirst Home Mortgage

Amerifirst Home Mortgage, a division of Amerifirst Financial Corporation, is a full-service residential mortgage originator and servicer. As an advocate for affordable homeownership and a mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, the company consistently ranks as a top producing lender of FHA and USDA Rural Development loans. It employs over 900 team members and operates in branches across the U.S.  Committed to operating by a strong set of core values, it has ranked as a Best & Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation for the past six years, was named a Best Mortgage Company to Work For in 2021, and has been recognized as one of the nation’s top 5,000 fastest-growing private companies by Inc. Magazine seven out of the past 10 years. It is headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan.