Winter Edition 2026
Sente Mortgage Employee Newsletter
Concierge
Have a question?
If you have questions on any of the Department Updates in this issue, please contact Concierge@SenteMortgage.com.
Awards Week Recap
Congratulations to our Kenton K. Brown Sente Spirit Award Winner; Pinnacle Branch Award Winner; Values Awards Winners; and Our Top Producers, Branches, and Operations Performers.
BRANCH NEWS
Snow Day!
A few of us made the most of the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern–as unofficially named by The Weather Channel–which swept through nearly all of Sente’s service area, January 23-27.
Sente’s Legacy Celebrated at AMBA Past President’s Luncheon
Kristin Carroll and Karen Elliott were both honored at the Past President’s Luncheon for the Austin Mortgage Bankers Association. Texas Mortgage Bankers President Scott Norman was on hand to present the Kenton K. Brown Award. Karen Elliott is a past recipient.
New Braunfels, TX: Sarah Carter's Soup Kitchen Effort Feeds 320
Mortgage Banker Sarah Carter rallied five referral partners in November to volunteer with her at a local soup kitchen, where together they helped feed 320 people in a single day.
Department-by-Department Priorities
Making 2026 Sente’s Best Year Yet
Our department heads shared their teams’ priorities for the year ahead—strategies to grow smarter, work more efficiently, and elevate the customer experience at every touchpoint.
ACCOUNTING
- Achieve increased efficiencies and security through the analysis and possible implementation of systematic tools in our accounting system.
CAPITAL MARKETS
- Grow our Ginnie Mae servicing portfolio by:
- Adding buyers of our securities and creating loan pools that result in maximum secondary execution and increase the likelihood of servicing retention of newly originated loans.
- Searching for strategic opportunities of bulk Ginnie Mae servicing acquisitions that meet our corporate growth plan.
CLOSING
- Expand our services efficiently by drawing closing docs for all states we are licensed in with the exception of Texas.
COMPLIANCE
- Prioritize reducing risk by:
- Reviewing policies and controls.
- Addressing anything that may need attention without disrupting production.
CONCIERGE
- Expand Ask Sente supported by ongoing custom training sessions targeted to specific workflows, processes, program/product setup, best practices, and recap of trending items based on feedback from Mortgage Bankers.
- Provide the tools and resources to deliver seamless day-to-day support.
HR
- Continuously improve internal customer service by auditing and refining HR processes to ensure consistent and timely support for managers and employees.
- Re-introduce manager-led performance reviews to restore consistent feedback, clarify expectations, and improve employee engagement through greater transparency, accountability, and development.
IT
- Renew and upgrade branch network infrastructure.
- Maintain and improve security vigilance through education, continuous testing, and upgrading.
- Assist in continuous review of Sente software and systems and new endeavors.
MARKETING
- Grow Sente’s footprint through recruiting.
- Strengthen referral partner relationships with more communication.
- Stay in front of our Servicing Portfolio customers with engaging campaigns.
- Overhaul the Sente Mortgage website.
PROCESSING
- Use our new Loan Processing Summary page to streamline loan review functionality by reducing wasted motion and supporting greater speed and quality across the process.
- Continue embracing both current and new technology to further enhance Sente’s process flow—delivering an ever-improving experience for our borrowers.
STRATEGIC GROWTH/RECRUITING
- Attract high-quality producers with Sente’s unique value proposition.
- Strengthen the Sente brand in key markets.
- Add three new branches this year.
- Support Tom and his annual Book of the Year outreach.
- Align growth efforts with long-term cultural fits to the organization—retention-focused recruiting.
- Work with onboarding to ensure new-hire experience immediate support and success.
UNDERWRITING
- Gain more efficiencies by exploring new technology, including features in Encompass, and leveraging AI technology.
- Launch new products, starting with our Medical Professional Loan Program in January.
DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Accounting
IRS Forms & Expense Reimbursements
IRS Forms
The following IRS forms were distributed before January 31:
- IRS Form 1098. Customers should allow until the week of February 9 for USPS mailing time before reaching out to us if they have not received their form in the mail.
For borrowers with loans originated prior to 2025 and/or currently serviced by DMI, they may view their tax forms online with their account at Your Loan Servicing Center (yourmortgageonline.com).
If servicing was transferred mid calendar year, the borrower may potentially receive a tax form from each servicer.
- IRS Form 1099. Forwarded to vendors for amounts paid by Sente over $600.
You may direct inquiries about forms to accounting@sentemortgage.com.
Expense Reimbursements
Don’t forget to consult the current Expense Reimbursement policy and pull the most recent version of the expense report template when you submit expense reports. The policy/expense reports online will have the most up-to-date information, like current allowed mileage rates.
As always, the Accounting Department is here to support you! Please reach out to us any time, and we are happy to help.
Compliance
HMDA Reporting
Did you know it’s time for HMDA reporting?
The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act was enacted in 1975 and requires financial institutions to collect, record, report, and disclose information about their mortgage lending activity. HMDA refers to this information as data points. The data-related requirements in HMDA and Regulation C serve three primary purposes: (1) to help determine whether financial institutions are serving their communities’ housing needs; (2) to assist public officials in distributing public investment to attract private investment; and (3) to assist in identifying potential discriminatory lending patterns and enforcing antidiscrimination statutes.
During our loan process here at Sente, we collect this information at application, loan processing, and closing. We also collect this information when a loan is denied or withdrawn. Compliance compiles all the information from January 1 to December 31 of the previous year and submits this information to CFPB. Our information is then compiled and compared to other mortgage lenders to make sure we are following requirements.
Concierge
Jump Buttons in Encompass
Recently we hosted a custom training session on Encompass reviewing the “jump buttons” that streamline working a file in Encompass. The “jump buttons” are located on the Borrower Summary page and enable you to quickly move to various functions (VOM, VOL, COC, Pricing, Disclosure Tracking, etc.) while remaining on the main page. This feature eliminates the need to scroll through the Forms tab for a specific item and moving back and forth. The Borrower Summary continues to be reviewed and updated based on your feedback. On average, it can easily save you a few minutes on each file. The recording is located on Ask Sente (Encompass Shortcuts and Efficiencies).
Human Resources
Cigna Wellness Hydration Challenge
Several employees enrolled in our medical plans have been participating in a week-long Cigna Wellness Hydration Challenge. Everyone who successfully completed the requirements of at least one week of the challenge between January 18th – February 7th was eligible to receive a Cigna wellness reimbursement allowance of up to $80.
For those who participated:
- Submit your completed Hydration Tracker form to HR@sentemortgage.com no later than February 13, 2026
- Use your wellness allowance as a reimbursement toward approved wellness-related expenses, including:
- Fitness equipment or gym memberships
- Health or fitness classes
- Wellness apps or programs
- Other approved wellness expenses
- To receive your reimbursement, please submit your receipts to HR@sentemortgage.com no later than February 28, 2026. Be sure to keep copies of your documentation for your records.
Why Hydration Matters
Staying properly hydrated supports both physical and mental well-being. Drinking enough water can:
- Boost energy levels and concentration
- Support digestion and metabolism
- Reduce headaches and fatigue
- Promote healthy skin
- Improve overall physical performance
Need Inspiration?
Popular wellness apps include Strava, Insight Timer, Headspace, MyFitnessPal, Noom, Apple Fitness+, and Fitbod—great tools to help you stay active, mindful, and motivated.
Let’s raise a glass (of water!) to better health—one sip at a time!
Secondary
Exciting New Product Launches in Q1
Two new product launches are planned for Q1 2026! The first product–introduced in January–is Sente’s delegated Medical Professionals Loan Program which allows us to be competitive against the retail bank products that have always been available to these borrowers. The second is our new broker relationship with Flyhomes which offers multiple lending options for bridge loans and unique options like their Guaranteed Backup Contract.
For more information and specifics, please review the program presentations on Ask Sente when available.
Servicing
Two Must-Watch Videos From Servicing Week
Following a successful Servicing Week in December, we want to remind you to review the videos sent by Sente Communications in a follow-up email–specifically Tom’s video about Sente’s plan for servicing retention and Laura’s presentation on Netting-out Escrows, which is a great strategy to give us an advantage on refinance opportunities.
Employee Spotlights
Get to know three randomly selected team members who are celebrating their “Sente-versary” in Q1.
Bradly Cook, Processing Manager
Q: How long have you been at Sente?
A: 9 years in March
Q: Where are you located?
A: Argyle, Texas
Q: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in [current role]?
A: Entire family is in the mortgage business. Soon as I was out of the military, I went straight to work for my father (who is a Branch Manager) as his production partner. Been in it ever since.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Sente?
A: The people. I legitimately love everyone I work with.
Q: Which Sente Value do you reflect on as the most important?
A: Care so much we make a difference
Q: How would you describe your job to a group of five-year-olds?
A: Keep the assembly line running.
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: That I get to work with every department and branch. I am not isolated to one corner of the company, that I get to engage with everyone.
Q: Do you have any pets? If so, what type and what are their names?
A: Havdoodle named Niles. Goldendoodle named Harlow.
Q: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
A: Home. I am perfectly content taking a vacation day and just roaming around/working around the house.
Q: What activities or hobbies do you have outside of work?
A: LEGO (big fan of the modular LEGO buildings)
Clay Christy, Branch Manager | Mortgage Banker
Q: How long have you been at Sente?
A: 2 years this month!
Q: Where are you located?
A: Dahlonega, GA
Q: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in [current role]?
A: It was sheer luck! I commuted for 50 minutes for a year to a credit union, hated the drive, and ran into an old branch manager who had opened a mortgage company in Cornelia, GA. He invited me to join in May 2005 and the rest is history.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Sente?
A: The people at Sente are amazing. Everyone working to the same goal of helping people achieve the dream of homeownership. I love the peeps at Sente!
Q: Which Sente Value do you reflect on as the most important?
A: Learn, Stretch, and Grow - I believe that every day is an opportunity to learn something new - stretch your horizons to use this learning, open new doors and then grow into the next great thing God has intended for you!
Q: How would you describe your job to a group of five-year-olds?
A: I help parents get house money so they don't have to live in a tent!
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: Closing day! I love to get dressed up, come into the attorney's office with a freshly baked pound cake (thanks Brandi!), and be there as my clients get the keys to their new home! It's a celebration, and I'm so glad I get to be a part of it!
Q: Do you have any pets? If so, what type and what are their names?
A: A golden retriever and a golden doodle - Murphy & Hooch
Q: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
A: 30A Florida
Q: What activities or hobbies do you have outside of work?
A: Kayaking, fishing, and pickleball!
JK Elizondo, Mortgage Banker
Q: How long have you been at Sente?
A: Coming up on a year next month!
Q: Where are you located?
A: New Braunfels, TX
Q: Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in [current role]?
A: My search for a new career path was in response to the birth of my beautiful daughter. I’m completely obsessed with her and needed more flexibility in my schedule. I couldn’t imagine being in any other industry. After going through some personal purchases and not fully understanding the mortgage piece, I decided that if I (having worked in real estate my entire adult life) was confused, then the average person must be LOST. So I felt like it would not only be a great challenge for me, but an opportunity to educate others and help people be more comfortable with the process.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Sente?
A: I love my TEEEEAAAAM! I had NO idea coming into this that there is SOOOO MUCH to learn! I really appreciate the support, encouragement, and sometimes hand-holding that has been so necessary to get going.
Q: Which Sente Value do you reflect on as the most important?
A: Learn, Stretch, and Grow for sure!
Q: How would you describe your job to a group of five-year-olds?
A: You know how people need a house to live in? Well, houses cost a lot of money! Most people don’t have that much in their piggy bank so they need to borrow some money to buy the house. I help people get the money they need to buy their homes and move in!
Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?
A: I love connecting with people and the sales aspect. It has been so rewarding to help families that never thought it was possible to get into a home.
Q: Do you have any pets? If so, what type and what are their names?
A: We have an Olde English Bulldogge named Odie Beau.
Q: Where is your favorite place to vacation?
A: Montana or anywhere I can see whales
Q: What activities or hobbies do you have outside of work?
A: Well...I have a toddler sooo...We are very family oriented. I spend a lot of time with my parents and my brothers and their families. I also obsess over my yard and my succulents when the weather is nice!
WELCOME TO NEW HIRES
New Hire Spotlight: Sharmee Patel, VP of Finance
We are thrilled that Sharmee Patel has joined the Sente team as VP of Finance. Sharmee lives in Austin with her spouse, three kids (ages 6, 7, and 8), and dog–she’s mastered staying organized while keeping up with a very energetic team! Outside of work, she enjoys reading, photography, and spending quality time with family.
Sharmee is a CPA with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and an MBA from the University of Florida. She believes in working collaboratively, focusing on clear goals, supporting our teams, and contributing to the company’s continued success.
New Hires:
Robert Humes, Production Partner
Nick Walker, Mortgage Banker
Saul Peralez, Business Development Manager
Sharmee Patel, Vice President of Finance
Andres “AJ” Sanchez, Mortgage Banker
ANNIVERSARIES
Q1 ANNIVERSARIES
Julie Bryant, Director of Closing: Feb. 1
Jenny Nip, Mortgage Banker: Jan. 18
Jessica Smith, Loan Accountant: Jan. 25
Bradly Cook, Processing Manager: Mar. 27
Chris Garcia, Mortgage Banker: Jan. 2
Jill Horne, Loan Processor: Jan. 6
Kenzie Lowegard, Mortgage Banker: Jan. 23
Dustin Lovings, Concierge Specialist: Feb. 24
Julie Beatty, Quality Control Specialist: Jan. 4
Jennifer Rodriguez, Mortgage Banker: Jan. 19
Jim Greene, Director of Servicing: Mar. 22
Lindsay Ippolito, Loan Processor: Feb. 21
Sonia Onofre, Production Assistant: Mar. 21
James Sineath, Mortgage Banker: Jan. 8
Victoria Bowden, Mortgage Banker: Feb. 12
Cory Christy, Production Partner: Feb. 20
Clay Christy, Mortgage Banker: Feb. 20
Karen Spellman, Production Assistant: Feb. 20
Sarah Carter, Mortgage Banker: Feb. 21
Nicole Green, Director of Marketing & Communications: Jan. 13
Gerald Moore, Mortgage Banker: Jan. 21
Scott Williams, Servicing Portfolio Mortgage Banker: Mar. 5
Jessica “JK” Elizondo, Mortgage Banker: Mar. 26