Mortgage expert Jon Wallace can trace his family tree all the way back to the Mayflower’s voyage to America. In fact, the 12th signer of the Mayflower Compact is right there on the family tree according to relatives who have conducted the genealogical research. In going through First American Title recently, Wallace found an eighth great grandfather who actually sold land in 1820 in Berrien County. First American owns all the books and the history records for Berrien County land transfers. Thanks to a heritage like that, Wallace feels right at home not only in Berrien County, but in helping others to own a piece of the American dream through his new CMG Financial in downtown St. Joseph.
They cut the ribbon on CMG’s new office at 800 Port Street in St. Joseph, directly across from the Berrien County Courthouse. On the wall in Wallace’s office is a picture of an old farmhouse that still stands at Bertrand Road and Red Bud Trail in Buchanan. It is now owned by a couple of teachers, but back in the day it was owned by Jon’s great grandfather who would leave the house on Monday each week aboard his horse and ride to Buchanan High School. He would not return home until Friday each week because it was too far a haul for the horse to handle every day. That house was built in 1853 and its image adorns the office wall in downtown St. Joseph.
CMG Financial is well-known for its mortgage industry advocacy and product innovation to achieve its goal of helping more families become homeowners. In October 2017, CMG launched HomeFundMe the first and only industry approved crowdfunding platform. To date, the program has helped over 200 families around the country raise over $800,000 toward their mortgage down payments. Wallace says, “many renters, especially millennials are so burdened with rising rents and student loan debt they are unable to save for a down payment. CMG Financial recognized that pervasive problem and answered with HomeFundMe.”
In addition, Wallace says CMG has programs for, small firms or self-employed business owners whose tax returns don’t show a lot of income, but there’s cash flow. He says, “So, we’re able to finance people just based on bank statements.”
The new CMG office currently has five staff members, but they also just made five offers Thurday to other people including in Kalamazoo and down in Niles. This is the first major office for CMG Financial in the region, but Wallace says they are expanding across the state of Michigan and across Northern Indiana.
With his family having moved into Berrien County and parts of Cass County from Pennsylvania back in the 1800s, and his wife Kristin having been born and raised here, and Jon’s own family history with family still living in the county as well as stretching back all those years Jon says, “It’s just another reason why we’re still here in Berrien County and haven’t decided to move elsewhere to establish the business.”
As a part of Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Wallace presented a check for $500 to North Lincoln Baseball & Softball Association President Greg Parrett. He adds, it’s just a part of what they will do as a company. He says between United Way, the Boy Scouts and others, there will be more, but he notes, “It’s that time of season for Greg, and they need those funds, so we’re just giving back to the community.”
Wallace reminds everyone on two fronts: “We’re hiring people and we’re financing homes.” You can reach him directly at 269-449-8972, or visit 800 Port Street, Suite C in downtown St. Joseph. Peter Johnson has the other part of the building where CMG Financial is now based.
Additionally Jon says, “Between the two conference rooms we have and all the space available, with not quite 20 staff yet, if there’s a community organization that wants to hold meetings after hours or meetings to use some space, come on down or call me, we’ll be glad to share.”
Read previous stories about CMG’s arrival in SW Michigan at these links:
https://www.moodyonthemarket.com/jon-wallace-tabbed-to-lead-cmg-financial-in-michigan-indiana/
