welcome-new-branch-tampa-florida

Welcoming our new branch in Tampa, Florida

October 24, 2022
Led by Regional Manager Chris Smith and Branch Manager John Utsch, the Tampa location is ready to serve the Eastern Seaboard.

Things are looking bright in Florida!

We recently opened a new branch in sunny Tampa — an amazing place for a primary home or a vacation property.

Our Tampa team is led by Regional Manager Chris Smith and Branch Manager John Utsch. Together, they will focus mostly on serving customers across Florida and the Eastern Seaboard. But the best part? They can lend in 48 states, which is especially helpful for homebuyers looking to purchase a second home or a new year-round home out of state. 

When it comes to mortgages, these guys certainly know their stuff. Chris has 30 years of experience in the mortgage lending industry — and the most recent 22 years have been in management/leadership roles. Combined, he and John have helped clients achieve their homeownership goals for 50+ years.

When deciding to join Waterstone Mortgage, Chris, John, and their awesome team were attracted to our loan program variety, technology, support, training, and customer-centric culture. 

“From a support standpoint, the technology we have seen at Waterstone Mortgage is incredible,” Chris says. “Technology is key for a quick and smooth loan process.” From a culture and support standpoint, he adds, “Everyone at Waterstone Mortgage bends over backwards to help in any way they can – and with very quick responsiveness and a can-do attitude.”

Chris and John both love Tampa — which is one reason they're excited to do business with homebuyers in this area.

Chris’s dad was in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, so he moved around a lot during his childhood. Chris spent most of his time in Connecticut, graduating from UCONN with a degree in Marketing. He moved to Tampa in 2005 with his wife and three kids. Chris and his family love “Champa Bay,” attending Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Lightning games, and going to the beach.

John is a Florida native who grew up in the Tampa Bay area and attended the University of South Florida. He is married with two children and is also a big fan of the Buccaneers and Lightning.

Looking For a Mortgage?

We’d love to see you! The Waterstone Mortgage Tampa office is located at 4902 Eisenhower Boulevard, Suite 385. Make sure to call ahead, though, because an appointment is needed. If you’re elsewhere in the country, it’s easy to find a loan originator near you