Our History

1992
Ken Turkington begins employment for Metropolitan Title Company.
Pioneer Mortgage opens in Novi, Michigan with one employee.

1994
Kirk Chivas begins selling Real Estate and works with Pioneer Mortgage as the preferred lender for his buyers.

1996
Ken joins Pioneer Mortgage as a Loan Officer leaving the Title Insurance business.

1997
Kirk joins Pioneer Mortgage as a Loan Officer leaving the Real Estate business.

1998
Pioneer Mortgage is in full growth mode; core business is from Builders, Realtors and past client referrals.

1999
Pioneer Mortgage is named to the INC. 500 list of fastest growing privately held companies in the US.

2000
Phoenix, AZ office opens giving Pioneer Mortgage a west coast presence.

2002
Pioneer Mortgage makes the INC. 500 list for the 2nd time in 3 years.
Pioneer Mortgage becomes the 2nd largest mortgage lender in the state of Michigan.

2003
Pioneer Mortgage goes public and is bought by Sallie Mae, a fortune 500 company.
Sallie Mae Home Loans is formed; core business from existing student loan holders.

2004
Boston, MA office opens giving Sallie Mae Home Loans an east coast presence, along with Phoenix, AZ and the headquarters in Novi, MI.

2005
Ken becomes Sr. VP of Sales.
Kirk becomes VP of Sales.

2007
Sallie Mae Home Loans closes its doors.
Ken and Kirk form First Commerce Financial on 11/30/07.

2008
First Commerce Financial closes 1st loan in March.
First Commerce Financial obtains FHA license in December.

2010
First Commerce Financial celebrates its 2 year anniversary and survives the hardest hit housing market in the country.

2012
First Commerce Financial moves into its new office at Beck Road & I-96.