DES MOINES – The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and the Iowa Association of REALTORS® (IAR) have named Frontier Mortgage as the winner of the 2024 Iowa Homeownership Incubator Pitch Competition. Frontier Mortgage will receive $20,000 to enhance their financial literacy initiatives aimed at helping underserved Iowans, particularly Spanish-speaking homebuyers, achieve homeownership.
“Homeownership benefits Iowans, communities and businesses alike,” said IFA Director Debi Durham. “This is why we’re pleased to host this competition to support the proactive and innovative efforts exactly like that of Frontier Mortgage and their partners as they work to advance financial literacy and homeownership across the state.”
The Iowa Homeownership Incubator Program invited financial institutions, real estate firms and housing organizations to propose innovative financial literacy initiatives related to homeownership. Proposals needed to include community partnerships and promote IFA’s homeownership programs.
Four finalists presented their proposals to a panel of state and national industry experts at the HousingIowa Conference, where the judges selected the winner.
“Homeownership is a key driver of economic security and wealth creation for Iowans,”
said IAR CEO Gavin Blair. “We are proud to collaborate with IFA on the Homeownership Incubator to help more families access this vital opportunity, especially those who have long been excluded.”
“Dustin Arntt, an Iowa Finance Authority Preferred Lender, continually pushes for innovation to support more homebuyers,” said Frontier Mortgage CEO Mike Lohmann. “His successful pitch at the Iowa Homeownership Incubator Competition highlights this commitment, and the award will enable us to pilot an initiative with Realtor® partners that can be widely replicated.”
Frontier Mortgage will collaborate with Realtors®, including Antonio Romero of Exit Realty, to help Spanish-speaking homebuyers overcome barriers to homeownership and build generational wealth.
For more information about the Iowa Homeownership Incubator, visit iowafinance.com.