As a New Jersey native and high school dropout, Anthony Casa has made a name for himself with a zest for learning that has instilled a work ethic that is a differentiator for him and the success that has followed him. Casa’s entrepreneurial journey began over two decades ago and culminates in his current role as president and CEO of UMortgage. Casa initially made his mark as the CEO of Garden State Home Loans, quickly elevating the company into one of the top brokerages in the country.
“This early success was not just a testament to his leadership but also highlighted his unwavering commitment to supporting loan originators, setting a pattern for his future endeavors,” said his colleagues.
Recognizing the challenges and predatory practices facing the mortgage industry, Casa founded the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts and united 45,000 independent mortgage brokers dedicated to reclaiming market share and offering a unified front against inequitable lending practices.
He further fostered his entrepreneurial spirit by founding UMortgage in 2020. UMortgage is in the mortgage industry with a focus on residential lending. The mission statement of the company is to create life-changing opportunities through homeownership.
“UMortgage stands as a testament to Anthony’s vision, offering branches across the country and embodying a future where loan originators are empowered to grow their business effectively,” said his staff. “Throughout his career, Anthony Casa has not only been a transformative figure in the mortgage industry but also a mentor and leader who has fostered growth and success among those he encounters.”
As a transformative leader, Casa’s accomplishments include founding ARIVE, an innovative technology solution designed to offer a modern all-in-one platform for loan originators that also enhances the customer experience for borrowers. These efforts have led to honors such as the 2019 HousingWire Vanguard award and a 40 Under 40. He has also been instrumental in promoting a winning culture within UMortgage.
“My ultimate goal was to focus on developing our core values, our vision, and our internal culture before we started to focus on external factors like revenue and the client experience,” said Casa. “The truth of the matter is that your culture is developed around your customer experience.”
Casa said his leadership style relies on delayed gratification. “I have learned that most leaders want big financial wins within a period of time, and they operate in quarters or years,” he said. “I am very long-term focused and operate in terms of decades; this approach has allowed me to build a successful business while prioritizing resources on longer-term projects that will make a bigger impact in the future versus short-term solutions that solve small problems.”
