James Hunter
Director of Real Estate Lending
New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union (Metairie, LA)
Region 2
jamesh@noffcu.org
James Hunter is Director of Real Estate Lending at New Orleans Firemen's FCU. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President for Mortgage Lending at HOPE, where he provided leadership and direct oversight to HOPE’s mortgage division and strategic initiatives. During his tenure, mortgage lending increased by 117 percent, generating more than $50 million in loans across the Deep South, one of the most impoverished regions of the nation. In 2017, 99 percent of HOPE’s mortgage loans were high impact loans, which are made to first-time homebuyers, minorities and women. These loans support and highlight the community development financial institution’s mission to improve lives of vulnerable families in a five-state service region.
Prior to joining HOPE, Hunter managed the mortgage department for Arkansas Federal Credit Union, the state’s largest credit union. He was responsible for the leadership and direction of multiple departments, including originations, underwriting, processing and closing, servicing and secondary market sales. Hunter has also held prominent roles at some of the largest financial institutions in the country. He was an Area Underwriting Manager for Wells Fargo and head of the Tele-Sales Division for Washington Mutual Bank. Hunter earned his undergraduate degree in Communication and Marketing from Western Illinois University. He is a member of Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program.