Correspondent and Housing Finance Agency Lending Contact us

Darren Bird joined U.S. Bank in 2005 as a Correspondent Account Executive and has over 30 years of industry experience. Prior to U.S. Bank, Darren was a Sales Manager at Washtenaw Mortgage Company. His vast experience in sales and originations provides an efficient approach for managing client relationships in the current market. 

Darren has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from West Virginia University and an MBA in Finance from Franklin University. He’s a member of Phi Gamma Delta and enjoys golf, football, hunting, and spending time with family and friends.

Stanley Carraway joined U.S. Bank in 2009 as a Correspondent Account Executive. He began his career in the industry in 1986 at Fleet Real Estate Funding in Florence, SC. While at Fleet, he earned a degree in Business Management from Francis Marion College. As part of his tenure at U.S. Bank, Stanley is proud to represent a conscientious industry leader.

Stanley established the Francis Marion College “Stanley R. Carraway, Jr.” scholarship fund in 1998 to support business students who were employed while going to school part-time. He is an avid kite surfer and enjoys spending time with family.

James Coreno joined U.S. Bank Home Mortgage as Managing Director of the HFA Division in August 2005. He has over thirty-nine years in the mortgage banking industry. James is committed to maintaining the standard of service for which the U.S. Bank HFA Division is known, and to the successful implementation of innovative support services designed to meet the diverse needs of lenders, borrowers, and Housing Finance Agencies. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, James served as National Sales Manager for the mortgage division at Sirva Relocation.

James holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Arizona.

Sara Ward joined U.S. Bank in August 2017 as a Correspondent Account Executive. She began her mortgage career as a Mortgage Loan Officer in 2001 with Coastal Federal Credit Union and has held various roles including underwriting and originating. Clients look to her as a trusted advisor to help them find financing solutions for their borrowers.

Sara earned a bachelor’s degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s in accountancy from University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She’s a resident of North Carolina and resides in Raleigh with her family.

Judy Spitale joined U.S. Bank in December 2003 as a Correspondent Account Executive. She has over 30 years of experience with banks, credit unions and independent mortgage bankers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Illinois. Prior to U.S. Bank, she worked for MGIC for five years as an account representative. She’s fluent in conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo and ARM guidelines and prides herself on teaching the nuances of each product to her lenders so they can effectively structure their borrowers’ financing needs.

Judy is married with two daughters and enjoys biking, hiking, golfing and reading.

Dino Granata joined U.S. Bank in August 2015 as a Correspondent Account Executive. He began his career in the mortgage industry in 1989 and owned Capital Mortgage, Inc. for over 20 years. In 2012, he transitioned to correspondent lending as an Account Executive with Stonegate Mortgage. Dino partners with lenders on custom solutions that address multiple industry opportunities. He’s committed to providing the highest quality of service.

Dino graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He enjoys time with family and on the golf course.

Mike Feeney joined U.S. Bank in September 2008. He has 30 years of experience in mortgage banking, including senior leadership positions in Underwriting, Training, and Sales Management. Mike has an extensive and varied background in residential mortgage lending, and at previous organizations has developed credit guidelines and lending policies, created training and onboarding procedures, and established business development strategies by recruiting and managing regional and national sales teams.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Villanova University. He’s passionate about charitable organizations that support international adoptions and is committed to causes that benefit the needs of individuals with autism.

Shannon Byron joined U.S Bank in 2018, on the Client Administration Lender Management team. In 2022, she took on the role of Client Relationship Manager, supporting the HFA Sales team where she assisted HFA lenders and agency partners from across the country, with onboarding, training, systems, processes, guidelines and more. In July 2024, Shannon was promoted to Client Sales Executive supporting the western region. Shannon is experienced in all aspects of our internal operations and is focused on building and maintaining strong partnerships with HFA partners and lenders.

John Armstrong joined U.S. Bank in 2007 as a Correspondent Account Executive and has over 30 years of experience as a mortgage sales executive. Prior to joining U.S. Bank, he founded and owned a mortgage brokerage in Fort Collins, CO. John possesses an efficient approach for managing client relationships and navigating market conditions, and in 2022, he was elected vice president of the Wyoming Mortgage Lenders Association.

John has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Wyoming. He is an outdoor enthusiast, elk hunter, fly fisherman, avid skier and golfer. 

Lou Caresani has been with U.S. Bank for over 25 years as a Client Sales Executive in the HFA division. He’s experienced in all aspects of operations and client relationship management, including facilitating training sessions with Housing Finance Agencies and their program partners. Lou works with HFAs on a national level, helping to meet client expectations and goals. He also assists the HFAs with new products and consults on pricing proposals. He also works with our Credit Risk team to identify and monitor risk factors. Lou graduated from Kent State University’s Business Management Program.

Rupa joined U.S. Bank in 2007. She has over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry spanning retail, wholesale, and correspondent residential lending. Rupa has led initiatives that drive strategic mortgage growth and transformative projects focused on how technology can drive change and improve the customer experience.

Rupa’s passion for residential real estate came early. Her dad was a homebuilder and she saw first-hand the tangible impact he had in providing the dream of homeownership for countless families.

In her spare time, Rupa enjoys playing pickle ball and traveling the world.

Shelly Kobb joined U.S. Bank in August 2024 and leads the Correspondent and HFA Home Lending business. A mortgage industry veteran, her career has spanned over 30 years, with senior leadership positions at Pentagon Federal Credit Union, TIAA Bank, EverBank, and Aurora Loan Services. She’s been a leader in multiple business disciplines, including organizational development, operations, strategic planning, and sales management.

Shelly holds a bachelor of science in business management and management information systems from Augsburg College and a master’s degree in organizational development and change management from Colorado State University. She’s active in the community and industry, serving on the board of directors with Ability Housing and Tom Coughlin’s Jay Fund. She’s also a volunteer partner with the American Red Cross.