Cornerstone Bank Taps New VP for Aggressive National Mortgage Expansion

HOUSTON, TX – December 01, 2025 – Cornerstone Capital Bank has appointed industry veteran Tony Taveekanjana as Vice President of Growth and Market Expansion for its retail home lending division, a strategic move signaling an aggressive push to grow its national mortgage footprint. The appointment comes as the bank leverages its robust capital base, unique loan offerings, and an award-winning corporate culture to navigate a challenging but opportunity-rich housing market.

With over two decades of experience at major national lenders like Movement Mortgage and Stearns Lending, Taveekanjana is tasked with spearheading Cornerstone's expansion into new markets while deepening its presence in existing high-growth regions. The move underscores the Houston-based bank's commitment to a growth strategy rooted in what it calls “relationships, not transactions,” a philosophy it believes is critical in an industry demanding increasingly personalized service.

An Architect for Relationship-Driven Growth

Cornerstone's leadership has positioned Taveekanjana's appointment as a pivotal step in its evolution. "Tony brings a fresh perspective and a strong tenure in our industry," said Jay Crowell, President of the National Retail Division. "He has led teams in markets outside our current footprint and has deep experience strengthening regions poised for growth. He also brings a tireless work ethic and a leadership style that aligns with our culture of collaboration, excellence, and long-term relationship building."

This focus on culture and leadership is central to the bank's strategy. Formed from the 2022 merger of Cornerstone Home Lending and The Roscoe State Bank—a move that created the highest capitalized new bank in Texas history—the institution has rapidly scaled. In the two years since its formation, total assets have surged over 50% to $2.3 billion. Taveekanjana, also known as "Tony T.," is expected to build on this momentum, reinforcing the company's mission across its national retail division.

"I'm thrilled to join Cornerstone Home Lending, a company with the rare combination of a well-capitalized platform, a thriving and winning culture, and a value proposition that is second to none," Taveekanjana stated, highlighting the key pillars he believes will attract top mortgage professionals and drive market capture.

The 'Bank-Powered' Competitive Edge

Central to Cornerstone's value proposition is its structure as a bank, which provides significant competitive advantages over non-bank mortgage lenders, or Independent Mortgage Banks (IMBs). Taveekanjana specifically pointed to "bank-powered niche portfolio loans" as a key differentiator. Unlike conventional loans sold on the secondary market to entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, portfolio loans are held on the bank's own balance sheet. This allows for far greater flexibility in underwriting.

This model enables Cornerstone to serve a wider spectrum of borrowers who may not fit the rigid criteria of conventional lending, including high-net-worth individuals with complex assets, self-employed professionals with non-traditional income streams, and real estate investors. By customizing terms and evaluating a client's complete financial picture, the bank can provide tailored solutions that expand access to homeownership.

Another critical advantage is the ability for its loan officers to originate mortgages across state lines without the burden of securing individual state licenses. Loan officers at federally chartered banks often operate under federal preemption, streamlining their ability to conduct business in the 45 states where Cornerstone Home Lending is active. This operational efficiency is a powerful recruiting tool for top talent and a significant strategic advantage in a landscape where expanding "true lender" laws at the state level are increasing compliance complexity for many IMBs and their fintech partners.

Navigating a Complex and Regulated Market

Taveekanjana's expansion mandate comes at a pivotal moment for the U.S. mortgage industry. Forecasts from the Mortgage Bankers Association project a significant rebound in 2025, with total origination volume expected to climb to $2.3 trillion. However, the market remains constrained by persistent housing affordability challenges and mortgage rates that, while easing slightly, are expected to hover around 6 percent.

Against this economic backdrop, the regulatory environment is also undergoing significant shifts, with a renewed focus on data security and consumer privacy. New Fannie Mae requirements for information security and business resiliency, which took effect in August 2025, place stricter demands on lenders' digital infrastructure. Furthermore, the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (HPPA), passed in September 2025, will severely limit the controversial practice of using "trigger leads"—where consumer credit report inquiries are sold to competing lenders for marketing purposes. This legislation, effective March 2026, directly addresses consumer data privacy and will force a strategic shift in how lenders generate new business.

For a well-capitalized institution like Cornerstone, these changes may present an opportunity. Stricter regulations, including the Basel III rules effective July 2025, could pressure some larger banks to scale back their mortgage platforms due to increased capital requirements, potentially opening up market share for agile and compliant competitors.

Culture as a Catalyst for National Scale

Cornerstone consistently emphasizes its corporate culture as a primary engine for growth. The company's claims are backed by extensive independent recognition. It holds a certified Fortune Great Place to Work® status and was ranked #46 in Fortune's Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance™ for 2025. For 16 consecutive years, it has been named a Top Workplace by the Houston Chronicle.

This is not just a matter of pride but a core business asset. According to a Great Place To Work® study, 91% of Cornerstone's team members say it is a great place to work, compared to the 57% average at a typical U.S. company. This high level of employee satisfaction is crucial for attracting and retaining the elite loan officers needed to execute a relationship-based sales model on a national scale.

Crowell noted Taveekanjana’s "infectious energy, a passion for people, and a dedication to serving our community," reinforcing the idea that new leadership was chosen as much for cultural fit as for strategic expertise. The bank's strategy hinges on the belief that a supported, engaged, and purpose-driven team is the most effective tool for navigating market volatility and building the lasting client relationships required for sustainable growth.

By combining its strong capital position, differentiated product offerings, and a celebrated people-first culture, Cornerstone Capital Bank is positioning itself not just to participate in the 2025 mortgage market, but to actively reshape its competitive boundaries with Taveekanjana helping to lead the charge.