United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), formerly United Shore Financial Services, is an American wholesale mortgage lender headquartered in Pontiac, Michigan. UWM underwrites loans for independent brokers, and as of 2024 is the largest mortgage lender in the United States.[2]
History
United Wholesale Mortgage was founded by Jeff Ishbia in 1986 while working as an attorney. He founded the company as a side business under the name Shore Mortgage.[3] It started off focusing on conventional and FHA loans and the name was later changed from Shore Mortgage to United Wholesale Mortgage.[4] By 2003, the company had 13 employees. It experienced large growth during the 2000s United States housing bubble after larger banks such as Wells Fargo and Bank of America exited the wholesale mortgage lending market.[5]