GVC Mortgage South Bend: Welcoming You Home
When Ryan Woodruff set out to bring GVC Mortgage to the greater South Bend area, his goal was clear – to build a mortgage lending team that puts homebuyers first. He wanted to create a branch that focused on guiding people through one of the most important financial decisions of their lives.
As a seasoned banking executive with deep roots in Michiana, Ryan saw a gap in the market. Too often, first-time buyers felt overwhelmed, self-employed borrowers struggled to find the right loan options, and families looking to upgrade weren’t sure where to start. He knew the area needed a mortgage lender that offered real guidance.
By launching GVC Mortgage South Bend, he built a team that does precisely that. Here, every client gets personalized service and expert advice, ensuring a clear path forward regardless of whether it’s a first home, a refinance, or an investment property.
Ryan is the first to acknowledge that his team is the true driving force behind GVC Mortgage South Bend’s success.
“This team makes GVC South Bend special,” he says. “Every person here brings a different skill set, a different personality, and a shared mission to help people achieve homeownership.”
That mission and the team behind it truly sets GVC Mortgage South Bend apart.
A Statewide Leader with a Small-Business Feel
GVC Mortgage is a family-owned, Indiana-based company known for helping homeowners since 1996. With forty-five offices and over two hundred employees, it has grown into Indiana’s second-largest mortgage producer, producing over $1 billion in yearly mortgage loans.
Despite its size, GVC still operates with the feel of a small business.
“It’s a company where you know exactly who to call when you need something,” Ryan says. “There’s no corporate red tape – just a group of people who want to help.”
That people-first mentality drew Ryan to GVC when he was looking for his next move.
Bringing GVC to South Bend
GVC Mortgage may be new to South Bend, but the team leading the branch is anything but new to the area.
As a Penn High School graduate and lifelong Michiana resident, Ryan Woodruff built his career in executive banking and mortgage leadership, holding key roles at Mutual Bank and Everwise (formerly Teachers Credit Union).
When mortgage lending became less of a priority for large financial institutions, he knew he wanted to work somewhere that focused entirely on home loans.
“I interviewed six mortgage companies before deciding on GVC,” he says. “I wanted to be somewhere that felt right – where the leadership was hands-on, and the people cared.
The first time I met the GVC team, I knew I had found that.”
For Ryan, opening GVC Mortgage South Bend was both a career move and an opportunity to give back to the community he calls home.
“My entire career has been in this community,” he says. “I grew up here, went to school here, and worked here. Bringing GVC Mortgage to South Bend allowed me to offer something valuable to homebuyers in my hometown.”
With a growing team and strong community involvement, GVC Mortgage South Bend is quickly making its mark, helping first-time homebuyers, growing families, and long-time renters find the right mortgage solutions.
A Team That Stands Out
While GVC Mortgage is one of Indiana’s largest mortgage lenders, the South Bend branch operates with a personal, small-business feel. Each mortgage professional brings a unique specialty, ensuring clients get the best possible guidance based on their needs.
Ryan Woodruff, with his 30-year career in leadership, has built and developed successful teams across the region. His passion for educating homebuyers led him to assemble a team of experts to make the home-buying process simple and secure for the community.
Maria Rothy transitioned into mortgage lending in 2018 after spending 20 years in healthcare. Her expertise in specialty loan products and passion for collaborating with professionals has made her one of the top-producing loan officers in Michiana.
With over 25 years in mortgage lending, Brent Barnhart is a trusted resource for homebuyers in the Greater Michiana area. When he’s not helping clients, he’s passionate about homeownership and animals – ask him about his alpacas!
Kristin Rajter grew up in the Real Estate Industry and has firsthand experience in every step of the home-buying process. She has worked for a title company, credit union, and mortgage broker, making her a well-rounded expert. She’s particularly passionate about working with first responders and is always first on the scene to help homebuyers achieve their dreams.
After achieving success as a top local realtor, Brandon Corbalis transitioned to lending. His goal? To guide clients through the entire journey. He’s a one-stop-shop for homeownership.
With an 18-year career in financial services, Ashley Foor felt drawn to what she calls the most rewarding role of all – helping people get into homes. A dedicated mom of performing arts children and a crafty crocheter, she’ll get you hooked on homeownership!
A long-time GVC Mortgage employee, Cassie Hinsey joined the South Bend team at its inception in late 2023. An active mother of three and a soccer coach at the junior and senior high school levels, she brings her competitive spirit and teamwork mindset to mortgage lending – helping clients score a goal with homeownership.
Together, this team offers expertise in nearly every aspect of mortgage lending, making GVC Mortgage South Bend a one-stop shop for homebuyers at any stage of the process.
Committed to Community
While many mortgage lenders operate behind a desk, the GVC Mortgage South Bend team takes a different approach.
In 2024 alone, the team attended 108 community events, including business networking events, local festivals, and nonprofit fundraisers.
“We don’t just want to be known as mortgage lenders,” Ryan says. “We want people to see us as part of the community – because that’s exactly who we are.”
Whether they’re working with the St. Joseph County Parks Department, supporting local businesses through networking events, or attending Mishawaka Business Association and South Bend Chamber gatherings, the team is always out in the community. That local-first mindset sets GVC apart from larger, corporate mortgage lenders.
An Education-First Approach
Beyond community involvement, GVC Mortgage South Bend prides itself on making the home loan process less intimidating for buyers.
“We focus on educating our clients,” Ryan says. “The mortgage process is complicated, and most people don’t go through it often enough to understand it. That’s where we come in.”
From explaining loan options to walking clients through every step of the home-buying journey, the team ensures there aren’t surprises along the way.
Every home buyer has unique needs – some want hands-on guidance, while others prefer a quick, digital experience. GVC South Bend adapts by meeting clients where they are, whether by texting, calling, meeting in person, or answering late-night questions.
“I always tell my clients, don’t go to bed with a question,” Ryan explains.
That level of service has led to loyal clients and strong word-of-mouth referrals – the lifeblood of GVC Mortgage South Bend’s success.
Overcoming Market Challenges
Even with a dedicated team and a growing client base, today’s housing market presents challenges.
“There are more buyers than available homes,” Ryan says. “Right now, we have over 50 pre-approved buyers looking for homes – but only one in five finds a home.”
To help clients navigate this tough market, the GVC team works closely with local realtors, helping match buyers with agents who specialize in the areas and price ranges they’re looking for.
“If a client knows they want to buy in Osceola, we try to match them with a realtor who knows Osceola,” Ryan explains. “If they’re an overwhelmed first-time buyer, we introduce them to someone who excels at guiding first-time buyers. It’s about increasing their chances of success.”
Looking Ahead
With a strong first year behind them, the GVC Mortgage South Bend team is looking to expand. Plans are already in motion to open two additional offices – one in Elkhart and another in Niles or southwest Michigan.
“We’re growing at the right pace,” Ryan says. “We don’t want to expand just for the sake of it. We want to grow in a way that ensures our employees and clients always get the support they need.”
For Ryan, trust is a greater gauge of success than numbers or rankings.
“Our goal isn’t to be the biggest mortgage lender in the area,” he says. “It’s to be the one people trust the most.”
Bringing Homeownership Within Reach
In a challenging housing market, GVC Mortgage South Bend is proving that personalized service, community involvement, and education-first lending make a difference.
For buyers looking for a mortgage team that genuinely cares, GVC Mortgage South Bend is ready to help.
Visit GVC Mortgage South Bend to learn more or connect with a team member.
Written by Eleni Owen | Photos by Gary Riggs Photography
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