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A lending team that’s focused on you.

Frank Bailen brings a rare combination of mortgage lending, commercial finance, banking, real estate, and higher education experience to his work with homebuyers and homeowners.

A Central Illinois native, Frank grew up in Bloomington and earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His professional career initially took him away from real estate and into labor relations, higher education and research administration before eventually leading him into commercial and residential lending.

That diverse background has shaped the way Frank approaches mortgage lending today. With more than 30 years of mortgage experience and more than 5,500 clients served, he brings a broad understanding of finance and a commitment to providing personal, knowledgeable guidance throughout the home loan process.

A Career Built Across Finance and Real Estate

After college, Frank moved to Chicago and began his career in labor relations at what is now Northrop Corporation. He later served as Assistant to the Chancellor at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle before spending a decade at DePaul University as Director of Research and Sponsored Programs.

During his time at DePaul, Frank worked with federal agencies to secure funding for research and construction projects. While there, he also earned an MBA and a doctorate from Loyola University in Chicago.

His interest in real estate eventually led Frank to begin arranging financing for multifamily properties and shopping centers through his own firm, Bailen and Associates. That experience introduced him to the complexities of real estate finance and helped lay the foundation for his transition into residential mortgage lending.

In 1990, Frank and two partners formed Revere Mortgage Limited, a mortgage brokerage that arranged residential home loans. They also established Marathon Title, a title company serving purchase and refinance transactions.

Frank's career continued to expand into commercial banking. In 2003, he and his partners formed Metropolitan Capital Bank and Trust in Chicago, focusing on small business lending. After selling their interest in Revere Mortgage to Wintrust Bank in 2009, Frank eventually returned his focus to residential mortgage lending.

Today, he is based in Champaign and brings all of that experience to his work helping borrowers navigate the mortgage process.

Experienced With Complex Mortgage Needs

Frank works with borrowers in all 50 states and has particular experience serving clients throughout Illinois, including Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane, McHenry and Will counties, as well as Chicago and the surrounding communities.

He also serves homebuyers and homeowners throughout Central Illinois, including Champaign-Urbana, Danville, Mattoon, Charleston, Decatur, Rantoul and Tuscola.

In addition to residential lending, Frank's commercial lending background spans Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. That experience gives him a broader understanding of real estate finance and the financial considerations that can come with more complex transactions.

Frank specializes in non-QM mortgage solutions, including DSCR and Bank Statement programs. These financing options can be particularly useful for borrowers whose financial circumstances may not fit neatly into traditional mortgage qualification models.

Whether a borrower is self-employed, an investor or has a more complicated income or financial profile, Frank's goal is to understand the complete picture and identify mortgage options that align with the borrower's goals.

A Hands-On Mortgage Experience

After serving thousands of clients, Frank believes experience matters most when it is paired with personal attention.

He takes an active role in managing the home loan process from application through closing. His goal is to keep borrowers informed, help them understand what is happening at each stage, and make sure questions are addressed along the way.

For Frank, controlling the process does not mean making the experience complicated. It means being involved enough to anticipate potential challenges, communicate clearly, and help keep the transaction moving.

His background across mortgage lending, commercial finance and banking gives him a perspective that extends beyond a single loan product. He understands that borrowers have different financial circumstances and that finding the right mortgage often starts with understanding the person and the goals behind the transaction.

Rooted in Illinois, Serving Nationwide

Although Frank can lend in all 50 states, Central Illinois remains an important part of his professional and personal story.

He grew up in Bloomington, studied at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is now based in Champaign. His knowledge of the region and decades of experience in finance allow him to serve borrowers both locally and nationwide.

Frank's goal is to bring the same level of experience and personal attention to every transaction, regardless of where a client is located.

Life Outside of Mortgage Lending

Outside of work, Frank enjoys spending time with his wife, Ella, who is an accomplished artist. Her artwork has been exhibited in galleries in both Chicago and Santa Fe, New Mexico.



For borrowers looking for an experienced mortgage professional with expertise in Non-QM, DSCR, Bank Statement and other specialized financing options, Frank Bailen brings a depth of experience that goes well beyond traditional mortgage lending.