Unison Experiences Monumental Growth and Announces 2018 Expansion Plans

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Unison Home Ownership Investors, the leading provider of home ownership investments, today announced multiple promotions and additions to its management team and substantial 2018 expansion plans in response to extraordinary growth in transaction volume and other successes during the first ten months of 2017.

In 2017, Unison expanded into five additional states including Illinois, New York, Arizona, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, bringing its total footprint to twelve states plus Washington D.C.  Unison expects to further its footprint dramatically over the course of 2018 to over 70 percent of U.S. single family residential housing units.

Unison has also processed over 14,000 consumer inquiries for its flagship programs: HomeBuyer, which increases housing affordability and purchasing power, and HomeOwner, which allows existing homeowners to unlock a portion of their home equity without borrowing.  With both programs, the consumer can use the money provided by Unison for up to 30 years without interest or monthly payments.  As partners, Unison and the homeowner share in the change in value of the property, up or down, when the homeowner decides to sell.

In addition, Unison has made significant additions to its network of partnering lenders and real estate brokers, and introduced a new suite of tools which make it easier for them to offer Unison's compelling down payment solution to deserving buyers, especially millennials who face difficult financial challenges.

"We are extremely proud of what we have accomplished this year and are eager to move into 2018 with great momentum," said Thomas Sponholtz, chairman and CEO, Unison. "Our programs are poised to help thousands of people nationwide; our tools and team are stronger than ever and we have high expectations for the future based on the solid foundation we have built as a company."

To carry this growth trajectory into 2018 and beyond, Jim Riccitelli has assumed the role of President focusing on facilitating Unison's rapid expansion and supporting Unison's trademark focus on consumer education and financial literacy. Bill Walker and Brian Elbogen, former Managing Directors, have been promoted to Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Strategy Officer; respectively, Laura Wensley has been brought on as Director of Finance, Rayan Rafay has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Unison's investment management business, General Counsel John Arens has taken on additional responsibilities as Managing Director of Business Operations, and Heather Phillips has joined as Associate General Counsel.

Earlier this year, Unison was recognized as a leader in today's financial technology space by winning three Benzinga Global Fintech Awards, and the FinovateSpring 'Best of Show' Award. GoBankingRate included Unison on its list of 'Startups to Watch in 2018' and Bank Innovation added Sponholtz and Riccitelli to its list of 'Most Innovative CEOs in Banking.' In addition, the company raised over $300 million in total investment capital, experienced significant growth in headcount and added industry veteran, Ron Suber, as an investor and strategic advisor. The company will also launch additional products and expects to grow origination volume by over 500 percent next year.

About Unison Home Ownership Investors
Unison is the leading provider of home ownership investments, modernizing home financing through long-term partnerships. Unison works with lenders, regulators and institutional investors to integrate home ownership investing into the U.S. housing finance system. Unison HomeBuyer helps purchasers buy the home they want with less debt and risk, typically by doubling the down payment. The larger down payment makes it easier to qualify for a loan, increases buying power, lowers the monthly payment and/or allows a buyer to reserve cash. Unison HomeOwner provides current homeowners with cash to eliminate debt, remodel, pay for school, invest or as a cash cushion, without the added debt or payments of a home equity loan or HELOC.

Unison's platforms have received prestigious recognitions including the FinovateSpring 2017 and Benzinga 2017 Best of Show awards. Headquartered in San Francisco, Unison operates in 13 states and has secured over $300M in total capital. For additional information, visit https://www.unison.com.

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This press release contains projections and other forward-looking statements regarding future events or our future financial performance. All statements other than present and historical facts and conditions contained in this release, including any statements regarding our future results of operations and financial positions, business strategy, plans and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). These statements are only predictions and reflect our current beliefs and expectations with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and subject to risk and uncertainties and subject to change at any time. We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the projections or forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein include, without limitation: (i) the contraction or lack of growth of markets in which we compete and in which our products are sold (ii) unexpected increases in our expenses, including manufacturing expenses, (iii) our inability to adjust spending quickly enough to offset any unexpected revenue shortfall, (iv) delays or cancellations in spending by our customers, (v) unexpected average selling price reductions, (vi) the significant fluctuation to which our quarterly revenue and operating results are subject due to cyclicality in the wireless communications industry and transitions to new process technologies, (vii) our inability to anticipate the future market demands and future needs of our customers, (viii) our inability to achieve new design wins or for design wins to result in shipments of our products at levels and in the timeframes we currently expect, (ix) our inability to execute on strategic alliances, (x) the impact of natural disasters on our sourcing operations and supply chain, and(xi) other factors detailed in documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

SOURCE Unison Home Ownership Investors