Two People. One Company. Built to Do Right by You.
First Commerce Financial is an independent mortgage brokerage licensed in Michigan, Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Co-founders Ken Turkington and Kirk Chivas have been working together since 1997. When you work with us, you work directly with one of them — not a call center, not a junior loan officer. Ken or Kirk. Every time. No exceptions.
Our Story
Ken and Kirk first crossed paths in 1997 at Pioneer Mortgage in Novi, Michigan. Together, they helped grow Pioneer Mortgage into Michigan's second largest mortgage lender — behind only Quicken Loans. The company earned spots on the Inc. 500 list in both 1999 and 2002 as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America.
In 2003, Pioneer Mortgage was acquired by Sallie Mae. Ken and Kirk stayed on to help build Sallie Mae Home Loans into a multi-billion dollar mortgage operation. When Sallie Mae Home Loans closed in 2007, they made a decision that has defined everything since — they went out on their own.
First Commerce Financial was built that same year on a straightforward belief: homebuyers deserve transparent pricing, honest advice, and a mortgage process free from the junk fees and runaround that have become standard at big banks and mortgage bankers. Nearly two decades later, that belief has not changed.
Ken and Kirk meet at Pioneer Mortgage in Novi, MI
They begin building one of Michigan's fastest-growing mortgage operations together.
Pioneer Mortgage earns back-to-back Inc. 500 spots
Recognized as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America both years.
Pioneer Mortgage acquired by Sallie Mae
Ken and Kirk stay on to help build Sallie Mae Home Loans into a multi-billion dollar operation.
First Commerce Financial is born
When Sallie Mae Home Loans closes, Ken and Kirk go independent — choosing the broker model specifically because it puts the borrower first. They have never looked back.
Licensed in MI, FL, AZ, and TX — still going strong
Same two people. Same commitment. 60+ combined years of experience and counting.
What Sets Us Apart
✓ No Junk Fees — Ever
No processing fees, no administrative fees, no underwriting fees. What we quote on day one is what you pay at closing. Complete transparency — the way we have operated since 2007.
✓ Wholesale Rates — Not Retail
As independent brokers, we shop your loan across 20+ wholesale lenders simultaneously. You get the best rate available for your specific situation — not just whatever one lender has on their shelf.
✓ You Talk to Ken or Kirk. Every Time.
No call centers. No junior loan officers. No getting passed around. When you have a question at any stage of your loan, you reach one of the two people who built this company.
✓ 100% Transparent Compensation
As licensed brokers, we are required by federal law to disclose exactly what we make on your loan — right there on your Loan Estimate. No hidden margins. No guessing. Nothing buried in the rate.
✓ 60+ Combined Years of Experience
Ken and Kirk have worked through every market condition imaginable — booms, crashes, rising rates, falling rates. That experience means fewer surprises and better outcomes for you.
✓ Independent Since 2007 — By Choice
They chose the broker model when they founded this company and have stayed with it through every market since. Not because it is easier — it is not. Because it is the only model that consistently puts the borrower first.
Meet Ken and Kirk
Ken has been in the mortgage industry since the mid-1990s. He helped build Pioneer Mortgage into Michigan's second largest lender, led operations at Sallie Mae Home Loans, and has been co-running First Commerce Financial since its founding in 2007.
Ken is based in Gilbert, Arizona — giving First Commerce deep roots and local knowledge in the Phoenix metro market. He handles every loan personally, from the first conversation through closing day.
Kirk has been originating mortgages since the late 1990s. He was part of the team that grew Pioneer Mortgage to Inc. 500 status twice, helped build Sallie Mae Home Loans, and has been co-founding and operating First Commerce Financial since 2007.
Kirk splits his time between New Hudson, Michigan and Jacksonville, Florida — giving First Commerce active, boots-on-the-ground presence in both markets. Every client he works with gets his direct number and his full attention.
Where We Lend
Licensed and actively lending in four states — with deep local knowledge in each market.
Why we chose the broker model — and why it matters for your loan
Ken and Kirk have been independent brokers since 2007. They have watched competitors move to the mortgage banker model chasing higher margins. They stayed. As a mortgage banker, your compensation does not have to be disclosed on the Loan Estimate. As a broker, ours does — by law. That transparency is not a coincidence. It is the reason we built this company the way we did. If you want to understand exactly how the broker model compares to a mortgage banker — and why it almost always results in a better outcome for the borrower — we laid it all out.
Mortgage Broker vs. Mortgage Banker — Who Is Transparent? →Frequently Asked Questions
How long has First Commerce Financial been in business?
First Commerce Financial was founded in 2007 by Ken Turkington and Kirk Chivas. But their partnership goes back to 1997 — giving the company a foundation built on nearly three decades of working together through every market condition imaginable.
Are you a bank or a mortgage broker?
We are a licensed independent mortgage broker — not a bank and not a mortgage banker. That means we do not lend our own money. Instead, we shop your loan across 20+ wholesale lenders to find the best rate and terms available for your specific situation. This almost always results in better pricing than going directly to a retail bank or mortgage banker.
Who will I be working with?
You will work directly with Ken Turkington or Kirk Chivas — not a junior loan officer, not a call center representative, not someone managing a pipeline of hundreds of loans. Ken and Kirk handle their clients personally from the first conversation through closing day.
What states do you lend in?
We are currently licensed and actively lending in Michigan, Florida, Arizona, and Texas. If you are buying, refinancing, or relocating to any of these states, we can help — and we regularly work with buyers moving from out of state who need to get pre-approved before they arrive.
How do I get started?
The easiest way is to start your pre-approval online or give us a call at (248) 459-5511. We will ask you a few questions about your situation, run a soft credit check that will not affect your score, and tell you exactly what you qualify for — usually within one business day.
Ready to Work With Ken or Kirk Directly?
No pressure, no obligation — just a straight conversation about what you qualify for and what it will actually cost. Ken and Kirk have been helping homebuyers and homeowners make smart mortgage decisions since 1997. They would love to help you too.