Correspondent and Housing Finance Agency Lending Contact us

Darren Bird joined U.S. Bank in 2005 as a Correspondent Account Executive and has over 30 years of industry experience. Prior to U.S. Bank, Darren was a Sales Manager at Washtenaw Mortgage Company. His vast experience in sales and originations provides an efficient approach for managing client relationships in the current market. 

Darren has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from West Virginia University and an MBA in Finance from Franklin University. He’s a member of Phi Gamma Delta and enjoys golf, football, hunting, and spending time with family and friends.

John Hummel joined U.S. Bank in July 2017 as Executive Vice President of Correspondent and HFA Lending. He has more than 20 years in mortgage banking with a history of working in the multitude of business disciplines, including Business Relationship Management, Operations, Strategic Planning, Profit and Loss Management, Marketing Business Development and Sales Management. John has an extensive track record in Correspondent, Wholesale and Retail channel leadership roles at Citigroup, CMG Financial and Pacific Union Financial. His multi-channel experience and broad background in operations, marketing and sales support provides a comprehensive approach for managing in today’s rapidly evolving markets.

John holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing as well as a Master of Arts in Marketing and Media Communications. As a member of the MBA’s Residential Board of Governors (RESBOG), he takes an active interest in representing both U.S. Bank as well as the overall industry through his participation with this industry group of representatives.

Stanley Carraway joined U.S. Bank in 2009 as a Correspondent Account Executive. He began his career in the industry in 1986 at Fleet Real Estate Funding in Florence, SC. While at Fleet, he earned a degree in Business Management from Francis Marion College. As part of his tenure at U.S. Bank, Stanley is proud to represent a conscientious industry leader.

Stanley established the Francis Marion College “Stanley R. Carraway, Jr.” scholarship fund in 1998 to support business students who were employed while going to school part-time. He is an avid kite surfer and enjoys spending time with family.

Jim Coreno joined U.S. Bank Home Mortgage as Managing Director of the HFA Division in August 2005. He has over thirty-nine years in the mortgage banking industry. Jim is committed to maintaining the standard of service for which the U.S. Bank HFA Division is known, and to the successful implementation of innovative support services designed to meet the diverse needs of lenders, borrowers, and Housing Finance Agencies. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, Jim served as National Sales Manager for the mortgage division at Sirva Relocation.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Arizona.

Sara Ward joined U.S. Bank in August 2017 as a Correspondent Account Executive. She began her mortgage career as a Mortgage Loan Officer in 2001 with Coastal Federal Credit Union and has held various roles including underwriting and originating. Clients look to her as a trusted advisor to help them find financing solutions for their borrowers.

Sara earned a bachelor’s degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s in accountancy from University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She’s a resident of North Carolina and resides in Raleigh with her family.

Judy Spitale joined U.S. Bank in December 2003 as a Correspondent Account Executive. She has over 30 years of experience with banks, credit unions and independent mortgage bankers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Illinois. Prior to U.S. Bank, she worked for MGIC for five years as an account representative. She’s fluent in conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo and ARM guidelines and prides herself on teaching the nuances of each product to her lenders so they can effectively structure their borrowers’ financing needs.

Judy is married with two daughters and enjoys biking, hiking, golfing and reading.

Dino Granata joined U.S. Bank in August 2015 as a Correspondent Account Executive. He began his career in the mortgage industry in 1989 and owned Capital Mortgage, Inc. for over 20 years. In 2012, he transitioned to correspondent lending as an Account Executive with Stonegate Mortgage. Dino partners with lenders on custom solutions that address multiple industry opportunities. He’s committed to providing the highest quality of service.

Dino graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He enjoys time with family and on the golf course.

Sally Mazzola joined U.S. Bank in 1999 and is currently a Business Channel Analyst/Client Sales Executive in the HFA Division. She has over twenty-three years of experience in the industry. Before U.S. Bank, Sally worked at Leader Mortgage as a Funding Review Supervisor. She’s experienced in all aspects of our internal operations and is focused on building and maintaining strong partnerships with HFAs and lenders. She excels in her knowledge of GSE guidelines, development, and management of projects ranging from handling current contracts to facilitating lender program training and support.

Mike Feeney joined U.S. Bank in September 2008. He has 30 years of experience in mortgage banking, including senior leadership positions in Underwriting, Training, and Sales Management. Mike has an extensive and varied background in residential mortgage lending, and at previous organizations has developed credit guidelines and lending policies, created training and onboarding procedures, and established business development strategies by recruiting and managing regional and national sales teams.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Villanova University. He’s passionate about charitable organizations that support international adoptions and is committed to causes that benefit the needs of individuals with autism.

John Armstrong joined U.S. Bank in 2007 as a Correspondent Account Executive and has over 30 years of experience as a mortgage sales executive. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, he founded and owned a mortgage brokerage in Fort Collins, CO. John possesses an efficient approach for managing client relationships and navigating market conditions, and in 2022, he was elected vice president of the Wyoming Mortgage Lenders Association.

John has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Wyoming. He is an outdoor enthusiast, elk hunter, fly fisherman, avid skier and golfer. 

Lou Caresani has been with U.S. Bank for over 25 years as a Client Sales Executive in the HFA division. He’s experienced in all aspects of operations and client relationship management, including facilitating training sessions with Housing Finance Agencies and their program partners. Lou works with HFAs on a national level, helping to meet client expectations and goals. He also assists the HFAs with new products and consults on pricing proposals. He also works with our Credit Risk team to identify and monitor risk factors. Lou graduated from Kent State University’s Business Management Program.

Rupa joined U.S. Bank in 2007. She has over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry spanning retail, wholesale, and correspondent residential lending. Rupa has led initiatives that drive strategic mortgage growth and transformative projects focused on how technology can drive change and improve the customer experience.

Rupa’s passion for residential real estate came early. Her dad was a homebuilder and she saw first-hand the tangible impact he had in providing the dream of homeownership for countless families.

In her spare time, Rupa enjoys playing pickle ball and traveling the world.

Darlene Lee joined U.S. Bank in 2018 as a Correspondent Account Executive and has been an active member of the Mortgage Bankers Association for most of her career. She focuses on relationship management and prospecting new accounts, and provides continuous market feedback to management on industry trends and opportunities.

Darlene has a BS in Biological Sciences from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She’s a proud mom of two boys and a beagle, is a board member at her boys’ elementary school PTA and participates in the Everyone’s a Reader program to promote literacy.

Rhys Nevarez joined U.S. Bank in 2017 as a Correspondent Account Executive. As a 20-year veteran in the mortgage industry, he’s focused on developing and maintaining quality client relationships with correspondent and wholesale lenders. Prior to U.S. Bank, Rhys spent time at Radian and IndyMac as an Account Executive. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of California, Riverside.

Rhys and his family live in California and spend time relaxing, enjoying the beautiful view and biking along the coastline. You can also find Rhys snowboarding.

Kathleen Lusk joined U.S. Bank in 1994, and offers a skill set that includes familiarity with agency, non-conforming, FHA and VA guidelines. Kathleen began her mortgage career over 35 years ago with Goldome/Key Bank as a Junior Trader. She was also a Vice President Regional Account Manager at CitiBank. Today, as a strategic partner to her lenders, she offers practical advice and solutions for their borrowers.

Kathleen enjoys trying new things and is currently learning cardio drumming and how to play golf. She’s also an avid reader and participates in monthly book clubs.