Over the past few years, including the refinance boom of 2003 and 2004, customer service was not as important as the interest rate of your mortgage. With the marketplace ever changing, our customers need a Mortgage Advisor who can match them with the right loan product. At Southwest Direct Mortgage our beliefs and our passions remain the same; Customer Service and “Mortgages Made Simple” will always be #1.
“Our vision for our company is to create “Customers for life” , by offering competitive pricing and extraordinary service from start to finish.” Michael J Matney
Michael J Matney, President/CEO
Michael was raised in South Lyon, MI where he resided for 28 years. He graduated from Adrian College in 1992 with a B.B.A., Business Management Degree. He immediately started his Mortgage Banking career with Bank One, NA in May of 1992 and over a 9 year span Michael held several positions within the Consumer Finance Division. Michael’s positions within Bank One included: Manager Trainee, Branch Manager, Operations Support Manager, VP, Regional Director and VP, Wholesale Operations.
Michael relocated to Scottsdale, AZ in 1998. It is here that he gained experience running the Arizona Retail operation for FMF Capital, LLC for over 5 years. Michael’s 15 years of experience provided a road map to start a new company, Southwest Direct Mortgage, LLC, with his two partners who are both former Bank One employees; Michael L Stevens and James A Arcari. Southwest Direct Mortgage was formed in February, 2004 and we originated our first loan in December 2006.
Michael has been married to Renee A. Shappell since November 1998; they both enjoy traveling to new places each year and he also loves to hike the Arizona trails and ride his motorcycle to unwind from the day to day grind of the Mortgage business.
James A. Arcari, Vice President, CFO
Jim was born in October, 1958 and raised in Boyertown, PA where he resided for 25 years before a series of promotions moved him to 6 different states in an 18 year span. Jim married Renae Moatz in May 1982, and they are avid golfers who enjoy traveling.
Jim began his Consumer Lending career with Household Finance Corporation in 1982, working his way up to Branch Manager and then tackled several tough assignments before moving on to Bank One Financial Services (a Consumer Finance division of Bank One, NA) in 1996. While there, Jim progressed rapidly from Branch Manager to AVP-Regional Director. He then moved into Investor Relations and finally to the Servicing Department where he became a Vice President.
After Household International purchased the Bank One Financial loan portfolio in May 2000, Jim started up a customer care center in Indianapolis, IN but found he was at a crossroads in his career. He and Renae moved to Arizona where he began a Mortgage Broker/Banker career that led to him reuniting with two former Bank One colleagues, Michael Matney and Mike Stevens. The three of them started up a Mortgage Banking operation that has evolved into Southwest Direct Mortgage, LLC.
Mike Stevens
Mike Stevens began his career in the mortgage industry in Grand Rapids, MI in February 1993. After graduating from Purdue University with a BS degree in Financial Planning and Counseling, he accepted a management trainee position with Bank One Financial Services. After being promoted to Branch Manager in September 1993, Mike continued to manage different assignments for Bank One Financial Services until his promotion to Assistant Vice President, Arizona Region. In December of 2000, Mike left his consumer finance career and began his Mortgage Banking career with Alternative Lending Group.
Mike Stevens married his wife, Mary Stevens in May 2000 and they have 2 children, Payton and Kaylee.
