TUKWILA, Wash. – 2004 is only one month old, and already Prime Alliance Solutions has three new relationships with credit union mortgage providers. The new partners brings the number of Prime Alliance customers to 70, including credit unions, CUSOs and mortgage companies that serve more than 250 credit unions. Prime Alliance Solutions President/CEO Joe Brancucci called Air Academy FCU, Colorado Springs, Colo. one of its new partners, "arguably one of the most outstanding credit union mortgage lenders in the country." The $265 million credit union originated mortgage loans equal to its assets for 2002 and 2003. Air Academy was awarded the 2001 Excellence in Lending Award in 2001 from CUNA's Lending Council because of its achievements and mortgage strategy. Steve VanSickler, vp of mortgage banking for Air Academy attributed the credit union's mortgage success on its attitude toward mortgage lending as being a core competency of the credit union, and, the "dedicated staff delivering the best member experience and established relationships with realtors and builders." Another new partner – RBC Mortgage-Credit Union Division – has been offering mortgage services to credit unions since 1986 and currently has more than 80 credit union clients nationwide. The mortgage company offers two levels of service to CUs – a complete, end-to-end mortgage program for CUs that prefer not to build, staff, and maintain mortgage operations in-house; and specially designed services for those CUs with in-house capabilities. The most recent mortgage company to affiliate with Prime Alliance Solutions is Strategic Mortgage Solutions, Madison, Wis., a leading provider of mortgage lending consulting services to credit unions. The two companies together have formed SMS L.L.C. Under the arrangement, Tracy Jean Ashfield, president of Strategic Mortgage Solutions will serve as president of SMS Consulting, working with Brancucci, who remains president/CEO of Prime Alliance Solutions Inc. Ashfield will lead the strategic direction of the company, directing a staff of consultants while continuing to consult, teach and write. SMS will expand its offerings, and continue to serve all CUs. -

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