Our Story

A Marine, two LOs, and a company built around the loan officer.

V.I.P. Mortgage, Inc. was incorporated on December 21, 2006 by Marine veteran James D. Barbour II (“Jay Barbour”) in Scottsdale, Arizona. He started with two loan officers and a single mission: bring clarity to the mortgage process and deliver a level of service that makes every client feel like a VIP. Nineteen years later, that operational backbone licenses 47 states, originates billions in residential volume annually, and now powers the modern Uplend brand.

Two decades, briefly

Six verified milestones.

Sourced from V.I.P. Mortgage’s public record, BBB profile, and current LO bios.

Dec 21, 2006 · Incorporated

James D. Barbour II (USMC) incorporates V.I.P. Mortgage, Inc. in Scottsdale, AZ — two loan officers, one Marine veteran, one HQ at 9221 E Via de Ventura.

May 10, 2008 · BBB Accredited

BBB accreditation issued. The company has held it continuously since, currently with an A- rating.

47-state licensing

V.I.P. Mortgage, Inc. operates under NMLS #145502 in 47 states with AZ Mortgage Banker License BK-0909074 as its primary state license.

Billions in annual volume

Originates billions of dollars in residential loan volume each year across agency, government, jumbo, non-QM, reverse, and construction product lines.

Uplend brand launched

“Uplend by V.I.P. Mortgage, Inc.” is the modern producer-facing brand layered on top of V.I.P.’s 19-year operational floor — same NMLS, same licenses, same legal entity.

One mission, unchanged

“Bring clarity to the mortgage process and deliver a level of service that makes every client feel like a VIP.” — stated mission since 2006.

Mission, vision, values

Three lines, two decades.

Pulled directly from V.I.P. Mortgage’s current public communications.

Mission

Bring clarity to the mortgage process and deliver a level of service that makes every client feel like a VIP.

Vision

Transform the mortgage experience through innovation, technology, and personalized service.

Values

National strength. Personal commitment. Built on service. Focused on you.

Talk to the Founder’s Team

30-min call with our Chief Growth Officer.

Senior LO conversations regularly involve the founder. The bench is deep — SVP Joani Tadrick (sales/production), SVP Denise D. Taylor (ops), SVP Chris Janssen (branch support).