Rate, one of the nation's largest mortgage lenders, brought on Kelsey Marquardt as a loan originator in Scottsdale, Arizona. Marquardt generated $86.97 million in production during 2025, according to Modex data tracking loan officer performance.
The hire reflects Rate's continued push to strengthen its origination team in the Southwest, where housing demand remains robust despite elevated rates. Arizona's real estate market has drawn significant lender activity this year as remote work and migration patterns keep the state attractive to homebuyers and investors alike.
Marquardt's $87 million production mark places her among solid-performing originators. For context, top-tier loan officers frequently exceed $150 million annually, but $87 million represents consistent, meaningful volume in a competitive market. Her addition to Rate's roster suggests the lender sees opportunity in Arizona's corridor from Scottsdale through Phoenix.
Rate operates as a direct lender and broker, competing against Wells Fargo, Chase, and Rocket Mortgage for retail borrowers and wholesale accounts. The company has aggressively recruited experienced originators throughout 2024 and 2025, betting that talent acquisition drives market share gains even as purchase volumes remain historically soft.
For borrowers in the Phoenix metro area, Marquardt's hire means another established originator available for purchase mortgages, rate-and-term refinances, and cash-out refinancing. Loan officers with her production track record typically handle their own leads while also drawing from their employer's advertising and lead-generation efforts. Rate's infrastructure, including automated underwriting tools and closing operations, backs her origination work.
For Rate, recruiting experienced originators keeps customer acquisition costs competitive. Rather than spend heavily on digital advertising alone, the lender leverages hired talent's existing client relationships and referral networks. Marquardt's Scottsdale base positions