OriginPoint, A Rate Company - Midwest Division

09/03/2026

We’re thrilled to share that five of our very own OriginPoint, Midwest Division Loan Officers have been featured in Chicago Agent Magazine’s Who’s Who 2026 issue.
 
Who’s Who is one of the industry’s most respected honors, recognizing the professionals who consistently raise the bar for expertise, service, and trust across Chicagoland’s real estate community.
 
Please join us in celebrating:
• SVP of Mortgage Lending
• Erin
• Kyle Gillespie | Top 1% Mortgage Loan Officer
• Mike Nielsen Mortgages 📍Chicago, NWI, SW Michigan
• Will Madden
 
Each of them brings something unique to the table, but they all share the same commitment: guiding clients and referral partners through the homebuying journey with clarity, care, and integrity. This recognition is a reflection of the relationships they’ve built and the trust they’ve earned, one client at a time.
 
Congratulations to this incredible group. We couldn’t be prouder to have you on the team. 👏
 
Visit: https://bit.ly/WhosWho2026 to check it out!
Which of our featured Loan Officers have you had the pleasure of working with? Give them a shoutout below!

08/31/2026

🎙️ New episode of the OriginPoint Real Estate Round Table is here!

This time, Kyle Gillespie, SVP of Mortgage Lending at OriginPoint, sits down with Trish San Juan of atproperties for a conversation packed with great advice on the real estate market.

Trish shares the story of her 20-year career, from helping renters find their footing to guiding clients through their first investment properties. Along the way, she breaks down:

🏡 How she made the leap into real estate investing
💡 Her top tips for first-time investors, like getting pre-approved and looping in her lender partner, Kyle, early
🔑 The biggest myth about investing (spoiler: it's not as "passive" as you think)

Whether you're eyeing your first rental or just curious about building wealth through real estate, this one's worth a listen!

Want to watch this full podcast episode? Visit: bit.ly/KyleAndTrish

08/28/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Mike Nielsen on earning Chairman’s Circle!

He’s only $5M away from hitting his numbers from last year — and in a market with low inventory and rates that have not quite come down to where we would like them to be, that speaks volumes. Hard work and perseverance show that you can exceed expectations when you’re backed by great partnerships, top notch tech, and elite systems.

This kind of result doesn’t happen by chance. It reflects Mike’s consistent drive and the dedicated team supporting him every step of the way.  

Keep crushing it, Mike. We can’t wait to see what’s next. 🎉

08/28/2026

🎉 Huge congratulations to Chris Varco on earning President’s Club!
 
This achievement reflects everything about your drive, your focus, and the tireless effort you bring each and every day. You set an ambitious goal, and you crushed it.
 
But a win like this is never a solo effort. A sincere thank you to Chris’s amazing team and our committed operations staff. Your work behind the scenes keeps it all moving and helps our clients and referral partners thrive day after day. We’re incredibly proud of everything Chris and his team have accomplished together.
 
Here’s to even greater wins ahead! 🎉

08/27/2026

08/27/2026

Some bartenders offer advice. Joe Burke was given it, and the decision to take it changed the course of his life.
“I was between careers and bartending when one of my regulars encouraged me to check out his mortgage company,” Burke, senior vice president of mortgage lending with OriginPoint, a Rate Company, recalls. “I finally agreed, and the rest is history.”

That leap of faith launched a career that now spans over 25 years. Known for his deep industry knowledge and relentless focus on service, Burke is among the top mortgage professionals in the country. He consistently ranks on the Scotsman Guide’s Top Dollar Volume list and is a multiyear recipient of OriginPoint’s President’s and Chairman’s Club awards for loan production exceeding $100 million annually.

Joe Burke at OriginPoint NMLS 251383 NMLS, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending
OriginPoint, A Rate Company - Midwest Division, NMLS # 251383
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2025/joe-burke-3/

08/27/2026

Nearly 23 years ago, Michael Murray took a leap of faith that defined the course of his career. Then a recent college graduate working as an executive recruiter, he was invited by a colleague to help launch a mortgage brokerage — with 5% ownership in exchange for building the team and learning the loan origination business. It didn’t take long for Murray to discover his true passion: client engagement and guiding borrowers through the mortgage process. His first clients? His own parents.

“I helped them refinance, then helped a neighbor and it grew from there,” Murray recalls. From those beginnings, he has now originated over $1.1 billion in funded loans.

As senior vice president of mortgage lending with OriginPoint, A Rate Company, Murray leads with a client-first approach. Even as the market shifted in 2022, his team was strategically positioned to thrive in the purchase-driven landscape.

Michael Murray, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending
OriginPoint, A Rate Company - Midwest Division, NMLS # 223808
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2025/michael-murray-3/

08/27/2026

Over 20 years ago, a friend introduced Michael Waldman to the mortgage lending business, and he quickly realized the career was meant for him. The senior vice president of mortgage lending with OriginPoint, A Rate Company, is known for giving expert advice, which in turn leads to client satisfaction and referrals. “During this recent period of extreme uncertainty and higher interest rates, I was able to provide my clients with knowledgeable resources for the home-buying process,” Waldman explains. “I actually grew my business about 10% in one of the hardest markets of the last 20 years.”

Recognized for his hands-on experience, relationship building and consistent responsiveness, Waldman works directly with clients in a fast-paced environment. While anticipating issues before they come up, he stays two steps ahead to protect his clients’ time and peace of mind. “My goal is always to make things easier, very transparent and more successful for everyone involved,” he shares. “I take pride in being someone who my clients and partners can rely on in any given situation.”

Michael Waldman at OrginPoint NMLS 1901699, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending
OriginPoint, A Rate Company - Midwest Division, NMLS # 56164
https://chicagoagentmagazine.com/whos-who-2025/michael-waldman/