why you should
join our team

We are always looking for talented new members

4.97+

Average Zillow rating
across 2,350 verified reviews

30+

Years of trusted lending

43+

States plus DC where we are licensed

$50B+

Total Funded

Our Culture

More than a Mortgage Company

City First Mortgage is more than a mortgage company—we’re a family of professionals committed to making a difference. We value honesty, teamwork, accountability, and genuine care for both our clients and each other. Every member of our team plays an important role in creating an exceptional lending experience, and we celebrate collaboration, continuous learning, and a shared commitment to excellence. Together, we’re helping people achieve homeownership while building careers that are rewarding, meaningful, and built on trust.

  • Trusted Guidance

  • Smart Financial Choices

  • Personalized Solutions

  • Homeownership Focus

Our Vision

be your trusted guide

We envision a future where every family has a trusted mortgage partner they can rely on. Through integrity, expertise, and genuine care, we aim to simplify the home financing journey, strengthen communities, and help people build brighter futures—one home at a time.

  • Trusted Guidance

  • Smart Financial Choices

  • Personalized Solutions

  • Homeownership Focus

Our Values

Integrity and Transparency

Our values are the foundation of everything we do at City First Mortgage. We are committed to conducting business with integrity, treating every client with honesty, respect, and transparency. We believe in putting people first by providing personalized guidance, exceptional service, and mortgage solutions tailored to each family’s unique goals. Through collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to excellence, we support one another and continually strive to improve the lending experience. We embrace innovation while never losing sight of the personal relationships that have defined our company for decades. Above all, we are dedicated to strengthening the communities we serve by helping individuals and families achieve the dream of homeownership with confidence and trust.

  • Trusted Guidance

  • Smart Financial Choices

  • Personalized Solutions

  • Homeownership Focus

best in class support

Learn from the best

It’ll help drive your business. It’ll give you the competitive edge. And it’s specialized for Movement LOs. At Movement, coaching is about closing the gap between your intention and your results.

No matter where you are in your career – an up-and-coming loan officer or a seasoned top producer – our coaches can help you go to the next level.

succeed. celebrate. repeat

Great tools that will accelerate your success

Business plan and goal tracking software, live business planning workshops, our Monthly Loan Officer Playbook and our exclusive coaching podcast with our top producers who share practical ideas to grow your business.

Plus, you’ll have someone alongside you to clarify your vision, hold you accountable for the goals you’ve set for yourself and celebrate with you when you accomplish them.

Learn from the best

It’ll help drive your business. It’ll give you the competitive edge. And it’s specialized for Movement LOs. At Movement, coaching is about closing the gap between your intention and your results.

No matter where you are in your career – an up-and-coming loan officer or a seasoned top producer – our coaches can help you go to the next level.

succeed. celebrate. repeat

Great tools that will accelerate your success

Business plan and goal tracking software, live business planning workshops, our Monthly Loan Officer Playbook and our exclusive coaching podcast with our top producers who share practical ideas to grow your business.

Plus, you’ll have someone alongside you to clarify your vision, hold you accountable for the goals you’ve set for yourself and celebrate with you when you accomplish them.

Our Leadership Team

Jon Prussel

President

Jon Prussel leads City First Mortgage as President, overseeing strategy, operations, and growth across the company's national footprint. He brings decades of mortgage industry leadership focused on building durable lender-borrower relationships and scalable operations.

Dennis Raico serves as Divisional Executive Vice President of Sales at City First Mortgage, driving enterprise-wide initiatives across sales, operations, and partner channels. His career spans senior roles in mortgage banking and capital markets.

Dennis Raico

Divisional Executive Vice President of Sales

Ken Goldsmith is Divisional EVP of Operations at City First Mortgage. He oversees divisional operations and supports branch managers and loan originators across the division. Licensed under NMLS #452844.

Ken Goldsmith

Divisional EVP of Operations

Jennifer Fowler leads divisional operations at City First Mortgage. She manages processing, underwriting coordination, and closing workflows that keep loan files moving from application to funding.

Jennifer Fowler

Divisional Operations Manager

Jason Richardson is Divisional Director of Technology and a licensed Senior Mortgage Advisor at City First Mortgage (NMLS #256859). He oversees marketing technology, lead generation, and brand strategy across the division. Licensed in California, Hawaii, and Texas.

Jason Richardson

Divisional Director of Technology

Daniel Milstein founded Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group in 2000 and has grown the company into one of the nation's leading independent mortgage banks, with 50+ branches across the country. He is a New York Times bestselling author and a recognized industry leader.

Daniel Milstein

Founder & CEO, Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group

AJ Franchi serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, the parent company of City First Mortgage. He oversees enterprise operations, technology, and capital markets.

AJ Franchi

President & COO, Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group

why our
Clients love us

Battle Creek, MI

Kayla D.

Doug was amazing to work with on the purchase of my first home. No matter the day or the time I could always contact Doug. Open communication and the knowledge he possesses made my experience very smooth. I recommend Doug for all of your lending needs.

Portage, MI

jamez

Greatest experience I could ask for. One lender denied me 2 weeks before closing. Doug and his team came to my rescue and made it so simple to complete. Very flexible with work schedules and always a fast response. I look forward to working with him again and definitely recommend.

Nashville, MI

Matthew P.

Doug was kind and professional to work with. He was very helpful during the entire process. If he didn't have the answer, Doug was sure to get the answer quickly. It was a pleasure working with Doug on getting my new house. I would gladly work with Doug again.

Muskegon, MI

leelee96667

I have to give the highest compliment and recommendation to my lender Doug. I recently purchased my new home. Doug had great knowledge, patience and professionalism through this process with me, and I wasn't the easiest person to deal with. Purchasing a home is very stressful and he was there every step of the way.

Ovid, MI

Stewart L.

Doug was great to work with. He was very prompt with communications and was very open to answering questions. He turned requests around very quickly. Even my realtor was impressed and said this was the best remote lender that she had ever worked with. I highly recommend.

Stevensville, MI

David

VA loans can be tedious. Doug did an outstanding job communicating everything and keeping me updated as the process continued. The online portal was also an excellent addition, very helpful.

Grand Rapids, MI

Ngrace

Doug was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. He was able to get us a pre approval letter same day, within minutes so we could offer on a house. He made the underwriting process understandable and smooth. Stress free experience. 10/10.

Smithfield, NC

Eric

When I began my journey to buy a home in Smithfield, I was filled with anxiety regarding my chances for a loan required for this area. From our first conversation, Kevin set a high standard. He was more than a lender. He was a trusted advisor, providing clear and timely communication. Kevin and his team were patient, supportive, and made me feel like family, easing the stress of such an important purchase.

Raleigh, NC

Susan C.

This will be my mortgage group from now on. I will not go anywhere else and highly recommend using them for your purchase. Timely communication throughout the process whenever we had questions, concerns, or just needed a little hand holding. They did whatever was needed.

Alexei K.

Durham, NC

Absolutely top notch. I just closed on a house yesterday with them and they were extremely helpful through the entire process. As a first time buyer I had questions and they were so patient with me through the process. They were really fast compared to other offerings and gave us a great rate.

Apex, NC

Kristina S.

Kevin and his team are great at what they do and fun to work with too. They got us a great rate, took care of everything and made the process of getting a loan for our home purchase so easy.

Build Your Career at  City First

Take the next step in your career with a team that values growth, collaboration, and success.