Much more than just a mortgage lender
The recipient of this prestigious award is chosen by the executives and branch department heads of Veterans United. “Choosing just one winner was a difficult undertaking,” said Matt Brand, branch operations manager. “Veterans United of Hawaii shows extreme dedication day in and day out. We are excited to recognize this branch for their commitment to enhancing lives and proudly representing Veterans United’s values in their community.”
He noted that Veterans United of Hawaii also showed tremendous support of the company’s charitable arm, Veterans United Foundation. In 2013, employees of the Hawaii branch donated more than $100,000 to local organizations.
“Our employees donate one percent of their gross income monthly to the Veterans United Foundation and I donate five percent of my income,” Dias said. “The corporate office in Missouri then matches our donation dollar for dollar. We support organizations that support the military, among them the Navy League, US Vets, Wounded Warriors, AUSA (Association of the US Army), Armed Services YMCA, Operation
Home Front, and a number of community service non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity and Easter Seals.
In addition to monetary donations, Veterans United’s Hawaii branch enhances the lives of service members by providing education about the VA Loan benefit which continues to offer the best mortgage loan terms in the marketplace to qualified borrowers.
“We have been presenting monthly free seminars on Oahu for eight years now and were excited to find out that other branches are now following our lead and offering educational seminars as well. In addition, we offer special classes for Realtors to make them more knowledgeable about the VA entitlement with the goal of eradicating any negative views about utilizing VA financing to purchase a home. These classes are good for CE (Continuing Education) credits. Periodically, we take our educational programs to the neighbor islands.
“Recently, we developed a weekly radio program, the ‘Veterans Movement,’ which is co-hosted by Rick Hamada Saturday mornings from 10 to 11 a.m. on KHVH Radio AM830. This is another avenue we are using to reach out to veterans and let them know that we are listening and here to answer all their questions. The increasing number of call-ins assures us that we’re reaching our audience. Last week we created The Veterans Movement Facebook page and already have over 650 ‘likes.'”
Dias also utilizes print media to get the Veterans United message out, including the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, MidWeek, and a Veterans United magazine called Home Buyer Hawaii.
“When we hold our client appreciation parties we get a really good sense of the many lives we’ve touched and enhanced by enabling them to purchase their own homes. Generally entire families are in attendance for the day-long event with lots of food, drink and prizes. Our loan officers and support staff are there too…we feel as though we’ve all become part of the same family.”
“You’ve served our country. Now let us serve you.”
-Aloha, Tony Dias
Branch Manager
Veterans United Home Loans of Hawaii
NMLS #222836
About Veterans United Home Loans
This leading national VA lender financed more than $3.3 billion in loans in 2012. Its mission is to help veterans and service members take advantage of the home loan benefits earned by their service. The company’s employee-driven charitable arm, Veterans United Foundation, has donated and pledged $6.2 million to organizations that serve veterans and their communities since its founding in November 2011.
Upcoming VA Loan Seminars
Veterans United seminars include Powerpoint presentations & free workbooks. Question and answer periods follow the presentations. For more information and directions, call 677-LOAN (5626).
Tuesday, January 21 6 – 8 pm
Veterans United Home Loans of Hawaii Educational Center
94-539 Puahi St., Waipio, HI 96797
Saturday, February 8 – 10 am – Noon
Veterans United Home Loans of Hawaii Educational Center
94-539 Puahi St., Waipio, HI 96797
