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— Special Advertorial Section — Property valuation guide Feature Southwest Financial Services, Ltd. Southwest Financial Services, Ltd. "A Different Kind of Lending Partner" President & CEO Corporate profile: For the past three decades, Southwest Financial Services has been a trusted partner of many of the nation's largest lending institutions. Its proven solutions and state-of-the-art technology combine to offer clients seamless and efficient title, flood determination, and valuation services. Dedicated lender teams provide efficient, professional, and customized service for every client, and a continual focus on customer satisfaction has served as the foundation of this cross-functional team structure. Jon Forrester BUSINESS SCOPE: Southwest Financial offers nation- Director of Real Property Valuation Services wide coverage that encompasses diverse valuation business lines, services, and products including: Cathy Erbaugh Ted Mullucey avmV Cascading AVM Platform: Employs a ranking system to independently determine the most appropriate automated valuation models (AVMs) for a given region and can be combined with property condition products to offer a compliant evaluation solution. Jim Cole AVM Testing: Offers independent, compliant, and transparent national testing of more than 20 leading AVMs. Staffing: Desktop Valuation Solutions: Offers estimates of collateral value, based on automated data resources and research conducted by real estate professionals. Corporate Headquarters key personnel Gregory Schroeder Director of Sales & Marketing Director of Contractor Development Director of Operations »Employees: 140 staff »Network: Approximately 30,000 brokers, appraisers, and property inspectors Appraisal Management: Offers a complete lineup of standard and customized appraisal products and boasts a national appraisal management presence. KEYS TO SUCCESS: Partners are vital to Southwest Financial's success. Since its inception, continual development of business relationships with both appraisers and other field personnel has been a primary focus of the management team. Particular emphasis has been placed on relationship elements such as timely payment for services rendered, effective and open communication, and ongoing education and training. A staff of in-house appraisers and real estate professionals offers continual assistance and support and provides an invaluable resource to partners as they navigate a tumultuous lending and regulatory environment. ACCOLADES & AWARDS: Southwest Financial was voted one of the top workplaces in Cincinnati for 2012, and the company has received endorsements from multiple state and local organizations as a preferred provider of mortgage solutions. Commenting on Southwest Financial's dynamic approach, Pat Grengs, SRA, RM, chief appraiser for Northland Appraisal, Inc., noted, "I have had the privilege of an appraiser-client relationship with Southwest Financial for 15 of my 30 years of appraising real estate. I have personally experienced their AMC-appraiser 'partnership' as a business model that led to long-standing collaborations, such as the professional friendship established between a Minnesota-based appraiser and the experienced personnel at an Ohio-based AMC." 2013 STRATEGY: Industry developments and regulatory contact information Cathy Erbaugh/ Director of Sales & Marketing Office: 800.733.3312, ext. 1333 Email: cathy.erbaugh@sfsltd.com 537 E. Pete Rose Way, Suite 300 Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202 Phone: 800.733.3312 Web: www.sfsltd.com 48 | The M Report COMPANY HISTORY: Founded in 1983 by President and CEO Gregory Schroeder, Southwest Financial is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has grown to become one of the nation's largest providers of valuation and appraisal management solutions. COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: Southwest Financial offers an unwavering dedication to customer service, which is reflected in the company's unique structure. Each client is assigned a specialized bank team created specifically to satisfy the customized requirements of a particular lender. Employee development and training are highly valued, and all bank team members are educated with regard to each product or service that may be part of a client's specific portfolio of business. Such a cross-functional approach greatly expedites the resolution of issues and improves overall service for the lender. In addition, a focus on technology has allowed the company to remain on the pulse of the valuation industry, and an in-house technology and development staff has resulted in a company-wide emphasis on adaptation and innovation. changes in the valuation realm and other business areas will offer numerous opportunities for growth in the coming year. A proactive strategy is essential, and this strategy can be seen in the continued expansion of the independent national AVM testing program. Likewise, the partnerships the have been built with members of the appraisal panel have served as one of the cornerstones to the company's success, and supporting these relationships while adding new partners will stimulate continued growth. A sharpened focus on technology and innovation will also be seen in the coming year. Projects include the release of mobile applications for the completion of property condition reports and other products, and several other systematic improvements are in development to further solidify relationships with lenders and partners alike.