Guaranteed Rate Introduces New LGBTQ+ Organization to Champion Workplace Equality

CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Guaranteed Rate, one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the nation, is pleased to announce PROUD, a new internal organization aimed at promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance in the workplace. The mission of PROUD is to maintain a work environment in the mortgage industry that believes in everyone for who they are, wants them to succeed because of their talents and abilities, and makes them feel safe, welcome and most importantly, PROUD.

"Our business has always been a place where everyone is welcome and respected," said Victor Ciardelli, Founder and CEO of Guaranteed Rate. "With the launching of our PROUD organization, Guaranteed Rate will have an additional platform to promote workplace diversity, particularly as it relates to members of the LGBTQ community. My long-term hope is that this type of inclusionary work-place model will be adopted and embraced by all kinds of employers throughout the country."

To support continued inclusion at Guaranteed Rate, PROUD offers education, awareness and a support network for LGBTQ+ initiatives.

"Our hope is that PROUD can create a domino effect where other companies across the country follow our lead and become more LGBTQ+ inclusive, helping to push equality forward for those still fighting for acceptance and visibility," said Shimmy Braun, PROUD ambassador. "There is no one happier than one who lives their authentic truth. It's time to help everyone feel as supported at work as I have for so many years."

This month, Braun was named a Notable LGBTQ+ Executive by Crain's Chicago Business for his professional success and support of the LGBTQ+ community by helping to launch the PROUD organization at Guaranteed Rate.

Since 2000, Guaranteed Rate has built a foundation of delivering competitive pricing, mortgage products and unmatched expertise from its top-producing loan officers, helping thousands of customers move into their dream homes. The company introduced the world's first Digital Mortgage, creating an easy-to-understand, transparent loan process, which has led to an industry-leading customer satisfaction rating and exponential growth.

About Guaranteed Rate Companies
Guaranteed Rate is one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, the Company has nearly 5,000 employees in over 350 offices across the U.S., and is licensed in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Since its founding in 2000, Guaranteed Rate has helped hundreds of thousands of homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances and funded almost $24 billion in 2018. The Company has cemented itself as the Home Purchase Experts^® by introducing innovative technology, such as the world's first Digital Mortgage, offering low rates and by delivering unparalleled customer service. 2017 marked the launch of Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC, a mortgage origination joint venture between Guaranteed Rate, Inc. and Realogy Holdings Corp., a global leader in residential real estate franchising and brokerage. Honors and awards include: "Top Lender for Online Service" for 2018 by U.S. News & World Report; No. 3 ranking in Scotsman Guide's Top Retail Mortgage Lenders 2018; Top Lender 2016, 2017 and 2018 by Chicago Agent magazine; Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces list for seven consecutive years; and Best Overall Online Lender and Best Lender for FHA Refinance by NerdWallet in 2018. Visit rate.com for more.

SOURCE Guaranteed Rate