The Home FinanceProfessors.
We believe homeownership is foundational to strong families. Those families make great neighbors and great communities—and we live here too, which means we have a genuine vested interest in your success.
Built to fix
what was broken.
Homebuying and financing can be stressful and frustrating. We’ve heard the horror stories—and the common themes are unfortunately not uncommon: no communication, no transparency, no consistency, and no expertise.
That’s why our founder started Professor Lending. After a decade in various roles in the mortgage industry—from retail banking to mortgage insurance—he couldn’t overlook those failures anymore. It was time to create a different kind of brokerage.
Ever since, our team has been committed to eliminating the horror stories of home buying. You shouldn’t need your own PhD in finance to buy a home for your family. That’s why we have one.
The
Professor Advantage
Four commitments that shape every loan we touch.
After a decade in this industry, I started Professor Lending because I was tired of watching good people get bad service. They deserve a lender who actually understands what they’re doing.
Where else will you find mortgage originators with PhDs?
Our team brings rare academic depth to an industry that often prioritizes speed over substance. We partner with 25+ of the nation’s premier wholesale lenders—and we use that access strategically, not casually.
Meet your
Mortgage Professors
Real people, real credentials, and one point of contact from pre-approval to closing.
Jordan Steffaniak, PhD
Jordan is the founder and president of Professor Lending. He has over a decade of experience in the mortgage industry and has helped close thousands of loans. His background spans AmeriSave Mortgage, PNC Bank, and Enact Mortgage Insurance—a varied past that gives him a uniquely complete view of the lending landscape.
Jordan holds a PhD, ThM, and MDiv, and is completing an MBA from UNC Wilmington. He founded Hanover Press, a member of the Association of University Presses, and co-founded The London Lyceum, an educational non-profit. He has been married to Sarah since 2015, and they have three boys.
Conner McMakin
Conner is an Oklahoma native and OU grad who serves buyers across Oklahoma City, Edmond, and the metro. He brings experience from AmeriSave Mortgage and PNC Bank, and before entering the mortgage industry he served as a pastor in West Michigan.
Chris Gibson, PhD
Chris brings over 20 years of professional real estate experience and 24+ years as a property owner across residential, land, and investment categories. He holds a PhD from Gateway Seminary, serves as an adjunct professor internationally, and is a pastor, counselor, and author. He combines clarity and integrity in every transaction.
Aidan Sims
Aidan serves the Fayetteville and Cape Fear region, specializing in VA loans for military families and veterans at Fort Bragg. Originally from North Texas, he serves part-time as Student Director at his church. He is married to his wife Katie and enjoys the outdoors, reading, and movies.
Chandler Warren
Chandler is an Oklahoma native who loves living in Eastern Tennessee, where he serves as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Alcoa. He studied at the University of St Andrews (MLitt) and NOBTS (ThM/PhD). Chandler married Molly in 2019, and they have two children and a dog named Auggie.
Jeff Rathbun
Jeff leads Professor Lending’s Farmington branch and serves borrowers across Missouri. He is the pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Lesterville, in beautiful Southeast Missouri, and has served churches in Arkansas, Texas, the Philippines, and Missouri.
Jeff has been married to Hollie since 2010, and they have four pretty amazing kids.
Licensed in
14 states & growing
Professor Lending is licensed to originate mortgages in 14 states. Don’t see your state? Reach out—we may be able to help sooner than you think.
Ask About Your State →Company NMLS #2644699 · Verify on NMLS Consumer Access
State license details
| State | Regulator | License | License # |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama State Banking Department | Mortgage Brokers License | 2644699 |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Securities Department | Mortgage Broker License | 2644699 |
| Florida | Florida Office of Financial Regulation | Mortgage Broker License | MBR7822 |
| Georgia | Georgia Department of Banking and Finance | Mortgage Broker/Processor License | 2644699 |
| Idaho | Idaho Department of Finance | Mortgage Broker/Lender License | MBL-2082644699 |
| Indiana | Indiana Secretary of State, Securities Division | Loan Broker License | 2644699 |
| Michigan | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services | 1st Mortgage Broker License | FL 0026522 |
| Missouri | Missouri Division of Finance | Mortgage Company License | 2644699 |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Commissioner of Banks | Mortgage Broker License | B-224880 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit | Mortgage Broker License | MB017351 |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs | Mortgage Broker License | No separate # (NMLS 2644699) |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions | Mortgage License | 2644699 |
| Texas | Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending | Mortgage Company License | No separate # (NMLS 2644699) |
| Virginia | Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Financial Institutions | Broker License | MC-8044 |
License numbers shown as 2644699 are issued under our NMLS ID. South Carolina and Texas do not issue a separate license number. Missouri branch: Professor Lending, LLC, Farmington, MO Branch, NMLS #2882628, 212 B West Columbia, Farmington, MO 63640.
Texas Consumer Complaint & Recovery Fund Notice
Consumers wishing to file a complaint against a company or a residential mortgage loan originator should complete and send a complaint form to the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, 2601 North Lamar, Suite 201, Austin, Texas 78705. Complaint forms and instructions may be obtained from the department’s website at www.sml.texas.gov. A toll-free consumer hotline is available at 1-877-276-5550.
The department maintains a recovery fund to make payments of certain actual out of pocket damages sustained by borrowers caused by acts of licensed residential mortgage loan originators. A written application for reimbursement from the recovery fund must be filed with and investigated by the department prior to the payment of a claim. For more information about the recovery fund, please consult the department’s website at www.sml.texas.gov.
Ready to work with
a real mortgage professor?
Want the full picture—your real rate, payment, and what you qualify for? The full application gets you there, often within one business day of a complete application. Just want a ballpark? Get a free quote.
Professor Lending LLC is a mortgage broker, not a lender or loan servicer. Company NMLS #2644699 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). All loans are subject to lender guidelines, credit approval, property eligibility, and underwriting; not all applicants will qualify. This page does not quote rates or loan terms and is not a commitment to lend. Program availability varies by state and lender and may change without notice. Professor Lending LLC is licensed as a mortgage broker in each state in which it originates loans; license information is available at NMLS Consumer Access. Equal Housing Opportunity.