“As the mortgage market shifts from a refinance focus back to home buying, we're ready to help families take the next steps toward a new home or their first home,” said Brian Seibert, president of Michigan First Mortgage and a co-founder of Watson Group Financial. “It's rare in our industry to have the opportunity where we can work directly with a lender – and it means we're able to bring together our decades of industry leadership, experience and community connections with Michigan First's lending resources and deep roots in Southeast Michigan.”

The new CUSO will offer mortgage loans with both conventional and governmental mortgage insurance as well as make loans destined only for its own books, the credit union announced. This will enable the credit union to have more flexibility in mortgage lending, Michigan First said.