Partners Britt Svensson ( left ) and Lee Warbinton, both with Chicago Bancorp. Photo by Ross Forman_______________
They don't talk business after 5 p.m.
At least that's their standard practice, and it's one of the main reasons Lee Warbinton and Britt Svensson have been successful partners—personally and professionally.
Warbinton is a senior mortgage banker for Chicago Bancorp, while Svensson is a mortgage banker for Chicago Bancorp. They've been working together for almost two years. They've been partners for six years, living together in Andersonville.
Business issues between the two often are discussed in the morning over breakfast, not late at night.
'It is possible,' to be successful personal and professional business partners, Warbinton said, 'but you have to make a concerted effort to make it work.'
Chicago Bancorp is an independent mortgage banker with access to loan programs and funds from numerous sources in the United States. They can offer programs tailored to an individual's needs and at competitive rates.
Bancorp is one of seven lenders in Chicago that offers the city mortgage program; it is highlighted by a 4 percent grant back, courtesy of the City of Chicago. ( The 4 percent return cannot be cash, though. )
'We really want to get this program out to the [ LGBT ] community,' said Warbinton, 43. 'Getting 4 percent back off the purchase price can be used to help cover the title fees, the closing costs, the stamps, etc.
'We want as many people from our community as possible to take advantage of this opportunity. We're trying to get the message out to our community, that there's a lot of, uh, basically free money available—so why not take advantage of it?'
The program is especially beneficial to first-time home buyers, Warbinton said. 'It's an amazing program and is not credit-score-driven.'
Bancorp can do loans in all but four states. And Bancorp has offices in multiple states.
Chicago Bancorp's mailing address is 300 N. Elizabeth, Suite 3E, Chicago, IL 60607; the phone number is 312-738-6000.