MILWAUKEE, WI--(Marketwire - March 29, 2009) - AmeriCU Mortgage, a leading provider of mortgage services to credit unions nationwide, has established an operations center in Milwaukee. The center, located in the Fairview Building at 10425 North Avenue, is currently staffed by 13 employees who are experienced in providing credit union support services. AmeriCU also hired 27 mortgage professionals throughout the State of Wisconsin and is looking for additional staff for its Milwaukee operations center.

AmeriCU received approval from the Department of Financial Institutions on March 18, and immediately began operations. Within 72 hours, the company hired 45 staff members and worked with local credit unions to close 15 loans for homeowners who were in danger of losing funding.

"We believe the most effective lending is done locally, through people in the community who understand the unique needs of its residents. We find those people by working with credit unions," states Don Calcaterra, Jr., CEO of AmeriCU Mortgage. "We had been watching the Wisconsin market for quite some time, looking for people who know how to meet the needs of the local community. While exploring an opportunity to hire mortgage professionals in Milwaukee who shared our philosophy, we made the decision to open here."

"AmeriCU hit the ground running as fast as they possibly could," commented Dean Wilson, President/CEO of Focus Credit Union. "They were able to support many families that had closed on their mortgages, but were still in the rescission period, by processing and financing these loans. Their willingness to step in and work with data that came from applications that had been processed by another company as well as computer systems that were not their own helped many families realize their dreams of home ownership. We foresee that AmeriCU's positive alignment with the credit union industry will result in many credit unions choosing AmeriCU as a permanent solution for mortgage support."

Calcaterra continues, "I can tell you, unequivocally, we came to Wisconsin because of the people: from the credit unions, to the Department of Financial Institutions, to the people we have hired, the focus has been on serving homeowners. Everyone made us feel a part of the community and we are committed to fulfilling that responsibility."

Troy, Michigan-based AmeriCU is a division of Towne Mortgage Company, a privately held mortgage banking company providing residential and commercial real estate financing from Minnesota and to Florida since 1982. AmeriCU was created in 1993 to extend Towne's community-based lending through partnerships with Credit Unions. The company's service offerings include: mortgage origination and servicing support, membership and income growth strategies, mortgage loan asset valuations and sales, and default management services. AmeriCU emphasizes educating members on affordable lending options offered through partnerships with Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, State Agencies and Credit Unions. For more information, visit www.americu.com or call 414-333-0495.