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We have some big news to share — and some team members worth bragging about.
Four Certain Lending loan officers have been recognized on Scotsman Guide's 2026 Top Private Originators list, ranking among the top producers in the nation across three loan categories:
- #2 Top Dollar Volume — Israel Lopez
- #3 Top DSCR Volume — Derik Young
- #5 Top Bridge Volume — Pepe Izquierdo
- #5 Top DSCR Volume — Tim Fazio
Here's why that matters.
What Is Scotsman Guide?
Scotsman Guide is the mortgage industry's most recognized and trusted publication for ranking top-performing loan originators across the country. Since 2010, Scotsman Guide has ranked tens of thousands of the nation's top-producing residential mortgage originators — and the longevity, rigorous verification process, and comprehensive scope of its list have positioned it as a benchmark for the industry
These aren't self-reported numbers or popularity contests. Every ranking is voluntarily submitted, employer-documented, and independently validated — ensuring every recognition reflects performance that was earned, not assigned.
The Numbers Behind the Rankings
To put the scale in context: there was a total of $5.3 billion originated across 12,106 loans among all 54 entrants in the Top Private Originators category. Israel Lopez alone closed 271 loans for $230.9 million in volume — placing him second nationally in Top Dollar Volume.
That's the kind of production that only happens when a loan officer genuinely knows the space — the deals, the structures, the borrowers, and how to get to close.
What This Means for You
When you're funding your next DSCR rental, fix-and-flip, or bridge deal, you want a loan officer who's done it at volume — not someone learning on your deal.
Our team closed hundreds of investment property loans in 2025 across product types that require real expertise: DSCR underwriting, short-term bridge structures, construction draws, and more. These rankings are the third-party proof behind what we already know: our LOs are among the best in the country at what they do.
Congrats to Israel, Derik, Pepe, and Tim — and thank you to every client and partner who trusted us with your deals this past year. These rankings belong to you, too.
Ready to work with a top-ranked team? Get a Quote and see what Certain Lending can do for your next investment.
