Primis Mortgage Named a Top 25 Lender in Greater Nashville by Nashville Business Journal

Author: Primis Mortgage | Published: Monday, July 14, 2025

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Primis Mortgage is proud to announce it has been ranked #25 on the Nashville Business Journal’s 2024 list of largest residential mortgage lenders by volume in the greater Nashville area. The recognition reflects the growing impact of the Primis Mortgage team in one of the nation’s most competitive housing markets.

Last year, Primis Mortgage closed 379 loans in the Nashville area, generating more than $146 million in local mortgage volume. That strong performance helped the company surpass some of the largest banks in the country—proof that personalized service and streamlined processes matter in a competitive market.

“We’re building something special in Greater Nashville,” said John Owens, Primis Mortgage CEO. “Landing a spot in the top 25 is a big milestone for us—and it’s all thanks to the leadership from Belinda [Arender] and the incredible work of our all-star team of loan officers and support staff. Their grit, service mindset and commitment to doing things the right way have put us on this path. I’m especially proud of how far we’ve come—and excited for where we’re headed.”

This recognition comes as Primis Mortgage continues to expand its presence in the Nashville market. With momentum building and a strong foundation in place, the company is positioned to climb even higher in 2025.

About Primis Primis Bank (Member FDIC) is a high-growth, forward-thinking bank committed to building a better banking experience for consumers, businesses, and communities. With industry-leading digital tools, a relentless focus on customer care, and a culture built around doing things the right way—not the easy way—Primis continues to invest in growth, innovation, and people. About Primis Mortgage Primis Mortgage was born out of the belief that the mortgage industry as a whole can do better but saw an opportunity to be the best. Primis Mortgage acts like an independent mortgage company, but leverages the stability and resources of a bank. Our network of mortgage experts lends in 45 states (and Washington D.C.) with more on the way; bringing faster processes, better products, and ultimate transparency to its customers.

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Primis Mortgage CEO John Owens Named A 2026 HousingWire Vanguard

Recognition honors Owens’ leadership, vision and impact on the mortgage industryWILMINGTON, N.C. – Primis Mortgage President and CEO John Owens has been named a 2026 HousingWire Vanguard, recognizing his leadership, vision and impact on the mortgage industry.The HousingWire Vanguards award honors C-suite executives and senior leaders whose vision and business impact are helping move the mortgage, real estate and homebuilding industries forward.For more than three decades, Owens has built and led successful mortgage organizations by combining entrepreneurial vision with a people-first leadership philosophy. He founded Ameritrust Companies in 1995 and led the organization through its successful sale in 2015. He later founded SeaTrust Mortgage in 2020 and guided it through its acquisition by Primis Bank in 2022. Owens is also the author of The Corporate Cure, a business leadership book focused on building healthier, higher-performing organizations.Under Owens’ leadership, Primis Mortgage has expanded its national reach, strengthened its operational infrastructure and invested in technology and artificial intelligence to create a more efficient, scalable mortgage platform. Since the 2022 acquisition, the company has achieved approximately 236% workforce growth and 254% growth in its loan officer team while expanding its lending footprint to 45 states and the District of Columbia.“This recognition reflects the effort, trust and passion of the entire Primis Mortgage team,” said Owens. “Our growth has never been about becoming bigger for the sake of being bigger. It is about building a company where talented people can thrive, customers truly come first, and creative leadership and innovative thinking lead to new and better solutions. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and even more excited about what we are building next.”Owens has placed culture at the center of Primis Mortgage’s growth strategy, emphasizing customer obsession, high trust, integrity, passion and personal and professional growth.“John has a rare ability to connect a bold, long-term vision with the people and practical decisions needed to bring it to life,” said Pam Jenkins, Chief Operating Officer of Primis Mortgage. “He challenges us to think differently, operate with discipline and never lose sight of the culture behind our results. This recognition is incredibly well deserved.”

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