Ocwen Financial and HomeFree-USA Partner to Expand Hiring Opportunities for Mortgage Professionals of Color
June 15 2021 - 7:00AM
Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE: OCN) (“Ocwen” or the “Company”),
a leading non-bank mortgage servicer and originator, today
announced that the Company has partnered with HomeFree-USA, one of
the nation’s leading, Black-founded HUD-approved community-based
financial counseling nonprofit organizations, to create a direct
hiring pipeline for graduates of HomeFree-USA’s Center for
Financial Advancement® (“CFA”) program at historically black
colleges and universities (“HBCUs”).
The new program will create full-time employment opportunities
for HBCU students who have successfully completed the CFA program.
The two organizations are still planning the official recruitment
process for eligible CFA scholars, and it is expected to launch
later this year.
HomeFree-USA launched the Center for Financial Advancement® to
introduce HBCU students to career opportunities in the mortgage,
real estate, and financial services industries. Throughout the
school year, students are taught money management skills, shown how
to build credit, and learn the importance of homeownership as a
means for building wealth. In addition, students receive training
on professional development skills.
The CFA initiative was piloted in 2017 at Fisk University and
continues there, as well as at North Carolina A&T State
University, Fort Valley State University, Bowie State University,
North Carolina Central University and Morgan State University. As a
result of its success, HomeFree-USA plans to expand the program to
all 107 HBCUs in the coming years.
“Ocwen is excited about the expanded partnership with
HomeFree-USA to provide employment opportunities for CFA graduates
of HBCUs. Diversity and inclusion are deeply rooted in our core
values at Ocwen and are integral parts of our culture and work
environment,” said Lola Oyewole, Vice President of Human Resources
and Chief Diversity Officer at Ocwen. “Recruiting, developing and
promoting diverse talent is extremely important because it
positively impacts our ability to foster innovation, serve our
customers and drive the success of our Company and our
employees.”
"Partnering with companies like Ocwen allows us to continue the
important work of diversifying talent in corporate America while
providing much needed financial literacy to our students at
historically black colleges and universities," said Marcia Griffin,
President and CEO of HomeFree-USA and an alumna of two HBCUs. "Very
few mortgage and real estate finance corporations and financial
institutions have hiring programs that aggressively recruit
directly from HBCUs. This must change. Students at historically
black colleges and universities are among the best America has to
offer."
Since the mortgage crisis of 2008, Ocwen and HomeFree-USA have
worked in tandem to provide struggling homeowners with the tools
and opportunities to obtain and retain homeownership. Over this
period, the organizations have collaborated on various financial
programs and educational initiatives designed to bridge the Black
homeownership gap. The expanded partnership supports Ocwen’s
long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion by creating
additional opportunities to hire diverse talent for all levels of
the organization, which develops the necessary infrastructure and
workplace environment to achieve goals, ensure outstanding
performance and create respect for each team member’s unique
character and contributions.
About Ocwen Financial Corporation
Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE: OCN) is a leading non-bank
mortgage servicer and originator providing solutions through its
primary brands, PHH Mortgage and Liberty Reverse Mortgage. PHH
Mortgage is one of the largest servicers in the country, focused on
delivering a variety of servicing and lending programs. Liberty is
one of the nation’s largest reverse mortgage lenders dedicated to
education and providing loans that help customers meet their
personal and financial needs. We are headquartered in West Palm
Beach, Florida, with offices in the United States and the U.S.
Virgin Islands and operations in India and the Philippines, and
have been serving our customers since 1988. For additional
information, please visit our website (www.ocwen.com).
About HomeFree-USA / The Center for Financial
Advancement®
HomeFree-USA is a Black-founded nonprofit started by Marcia and
Jim Griffin in 1994 with a vision to close the homeownership gap by
giving African Americans the guidance they need to achieve and
sustain homeownership. As a HUD-intermediary, HomeFree-USA serves
the diverse interests of 6.3 million consumers through its
nationwide network of 50 plus affiliated, community-based
nonprofits that specialize in guiding people to first-time
homeownership, homeownership sustainability, and increased
financial capacity.
HomeFree-USA launched the Center for Financial Advancement®
(CFA) as a solution to the industry's call for more diversity.
HomeFree-USA partners with, trains, and provides students from
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) opportunities
for externships, internships, and full-time jobs in partnering
mortgage and real estate finance companies. Participating CFA
Scholars are exposed to credit, money management, leadership
development, and homeownership, creating the next generation of
leaders and homeowners. For more information, visit
homefreeusa.org/cfa.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dico Akseraylian T: (856) 917-0066 E:
mediarelations@ocwen.com
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