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Little Rock, Ark. – Southern Bancorp Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and one of America’s oldest and largest community development banks, is proud to announce that Jeremy Davis, President of Mortgage, has been named a 2025 Vanguard by HousingWire, one of the industry’s leading news and insights publications.
Now in its 11th year, the HousingWire Vanguard Awards recognize 100 of the most influential executives across mortgage, real estate, and housing technology. Honorees are selected for their vision, resilience, and transformative impact on the housing economy.
“The 2025 HousingWire Vanguards exemplify what it means to lead with vision and resilience,” said Sarah Wheeler, Editor-in-Chief of HousingWire, in a release. “These leaders aren’t just driving growth within their organizations, they’re shaping the future of housing itself. Their achievements reflect the innovation, adaptability, and commitment required to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving market.”
Davis joined Southern Bancorp as its President of Mortgage in 2023, and since then the CDFI has expanded mortgage production fivefold and entered six new underserved markets, while maintaining its unique, mission-driven approach to lending. In addition to traditional mortgage products, the Southern Bancorp mortgage division provides a number of innovative, deep-impact services such as forgivable and low-cost repayable down payment assistance and 100 percent financing options, all driven by a mission to bring a path to homeownership to within reach of all families, no matter the zip code, income level, or financial history.
In 2024 alone, Davis’ team helped to create 225 first-time homebuyers throughout the region and closed nearly 800 total mortgage originations with a sub-$200K average loan size, reflecting their balance of production with purpose.
“I’m honored to be named a HousingWire Vanguard,” said Davis. “This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our team at Southern Bancorp and our shared mission to make homeownership accessible, sustainable, and empowering for all.”
Davis is a three-time Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Leadership Award recipient, most recently winning the 2024 MBA Leadership Award for Market Outreach Strategies. In addition to his role at Southern Bancorp, he currently serves on the Mortgage Advocacy Committee for The Mortgage Collaborative and is a member of the Advisory Board for the American Pledge Foundation.
To learn more about the 2025 HousingWire Vanguards, visit HousingWire’s official announcement.
About Southern Bancorp
Founded in 1986 by some of the nation’s leading political, business, and philanthropic leaders with an initial investment of $10 million, Southern Bancorp, Inc., along with its development partners – Southern Bancorp Bank and Southern Bancorp Community Partners – has grown into a $2.8 billion asset organization with 56 locations serving customers throughout the South. Southern Bancorp has a unique array of financial products and services designed to help individuals at all stages of life’s financial journey – from teaching kids how to save to helping entrepreneurs and families realize the American Dream. Southern Bancorp is a certified Community Development Financial Institution, certified B-Corp, and proud member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values. Learn more at www.BankSouthern.com and www.SouthernPartners.org.