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$31 Million CRE and Agricultural Loan Sale

$33MM Performing & Non-Performing CRE, C&I and Residential Loan Sale | 4Q2024 Quarterly Loan Sale Event

The First Financial Network Story

A History of Success.

FFN has defined the loan sale industry since its founding in 1989, becoming the first loan sale advisory firm. Our longevity and repeat business are a testament to our ability to execute successful transactions that benefit our clients.

 

Loan Advisory
Financial Institutions We've Worked With

Hear more about our story

Leaders in Loan Sales

Bliss Morris, CEO, founded First Financial Network in 1989, establishing the first loan sale advisory firm in the U.S. The fledgling company had many obstacles to overcome. At the time, loan sales were a niche market in an industry that was emerging from the Savings & Loan Crisis. Most did not know that loans could be sold. Couple this with the fact that the industry was dominated largely by men twice Bliss’s age – and one might abandon the idea.

First Financial Network has grown to sell billions of dollars in loans in over 30 countries through some of history’s hardest economic cycles. Now, Bliss and FFN are recognized as leaders in the loan sales industry.

First Financial Network established its skills in governmental asset sales early on and now serves as loan sale advisor to more top 10 U.S. financial institutions than any other firm. Over the years, FFN has continued to build new financial tools and technologies to facilitate accurate loan valuations and support strategic loan sales opportunities.

Above everything, FFN puts people first. Our approach is rooted in our commitment to our clients, our team, and our other relationships in the market. The success of First Financial Network comes from an unyielding focus on excellence and intentional collaboration with our clients and community partners.

We have repeatedly demonstrated our ability not only to tap markets but to make them.

$1.9

Trillion

Loans Valued

2021-2023

  • $9.6

    Billion

    Loans Sold

    2021-2023

  • 27

    Years

    Executive Tenure

  • 96%

    Rate

    Loan Sale Closing Rate

Decades of Leadership in Loan Sales

1989

FFN Established & Performs its First Loan Sale

Bliss Morris established First Financial Network following the banking and energy crisis in Oklahoma. The same year, FFN executes the sale of a consumer loan portfolio on behalf of Bank One, a predecessor to JPMorgan Chase & Co.

1990

FFN Launches First Financial Auction Network

FFN forms groundbreaking joint venture comprised of over five major auction houses in response to the savings and loan (S&L) crisis. During the Banking and S&L Crisis 1,617 banks and 1,043 thrifts failed.

1992

FFN Conducts Loan Sales on Behalf of The Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC)

FFN sold over 25,000 loans totaling approximately $2B during these sale initiatives and achieved the highest recovery rate (over 70% of UPB) of any RTC National Loan Auction ever conducted while executing RTC’s last sale, National Loan Auction VIII (The Sunset Auction).

1993

FFN Sells Loan Portfolios for The National Credit Union Administration & Develops QECR™ Loan Valuation Model

FFN developed the Qualitative Estimated Cash Recovery Loan Valuation Model (QECR™), focusing on a market-based pricing analysis. QECR™ is the precursor for FFN's current market-based loan valuation model, FirstValue™.

1995

FFN Sells its First Credit Card Portfolio on Behalf of Novus Services/Discover Card

FFN sells a $250MM credit card portfolio comprised of over 1,000 accounts in 30 pools via sealed bid auction.

1996

FFN Sells Loss Share Portfolio for Predecessor to Wells Fargo

FFN sells $125MM loan portfolio on behalf of First Union National Bank, predecessor to Wells Fargo. All loans were subject to an FDIC Loss Sharing Agreement.

1997

FFN Introduces Metrics™ Transaction Management Platform

Metrics™, FFN's fully-integrated, proprietary transaction management platform, includes features such as data extraction, loan document image management, underwriting, valuation and reporting capabilities.

1997

FFN Conducts its First Loan Sale in Mexico

FFN markets over $1B in commercial, residential and consumer loans for Mexico's largest financial institution at the time, BBVA Bancomer, S.A.

1999

FFN Sells its First Canadian Loan Portfolio

FFN offers its first consumer loan and credit card account portfolio on behalf of Canada Trust.

1999

FFN Develops Bid Optimization Model™

The Bid Optimization Model™ is FFN's proprietary bid analysis model that analyzes all loan sale bids to determine which bid scenario maximizes returns for our clients.

1999

FFN Conducts First Loan Sale for Bank of America

FFN sells billions in commercial real estate and C&I loans as a tier one vendor for Bank of America.

2002

FFN Launches Loan Sale Network™

FFN pioneered the way forward in the digital age by introducing its first online loan sale platform.

2002

FFN Conducts $700MM Loan Sale on Behalf of FDIC as Receiver for Hamilton Bank

FFN marketed a $700MM domestic and international loan portfolio comprised of the assets from the failed Hamilton Bank, Miami FL.

2003

FFN Conducts Loan Sale in Nicaragua

Working collaboratively with the World Bank and IMF, FFN conducts sale of $700MM in loans, over 1,000 real estate properties and other assets.

2004

FFN Named Inc. 500 Finalist

The Inc. 500 is an annual list of the 500 fastest growing private companies in the US.

2008

FFN Selected the first FDIC Financial Advisor For Receivership Loan Sales

The Global Financial Crisis brought about one of the greatest financial upheavals of all time. FFN sold many of the failed banks' loans during this time period. From 2007-2009, 465 U.S. banks failed. FFN continues to serve as a Financial Advisor to the FDIC to this day.

2009

FFN Conducts The Largest Sale of Agricultural Loans in U.S. History

FFN was selected as the loan sale advisor for the analysis, marketing and sale of the $750MM agricultural loan portfolio.

2009

Bliss Morris, CEO & Founder, Featured on CNBC

Bliss Morris discusses the loan sale industry with CNBC's Erin Burnett in her first CNBC appearance.

2010

FFN Values & Sells $1.6B in Loans on Behalf of BB&T

FFN executes multi-pronged loan sale strategy for commercial real estate loan portfolio on behalf of BB&T, predecessor to Truist Bank.

2011

FFN Chosen as Loan Sale Advisor to Citibank

FFN sells commercial real estate loans in its first Citibank loan sale in 2011. FFN continues to provide loan sale advisory services to Citibank today.

2013

FFN Selected as Loan Sale Advisor to NCUA

The National Credit Union Administration insures the deposits of all federal credit unions and most state-chartered credit unions. FFN first began its relationship with NCUA in the 90's through completing several loan sales on behalf of NCUA.

2013

FFN Introduces The Quarterly Loan Sale Event™

The Quarterly Loan Sale Event™ provides a secure, supported process to sell and buy loans every quarter.

2014

Patent Issued for Constellation™

Constellation™ is FFN's proprietary processing cloud that provides comprehensive image categorization and indexing for loan document images.

2014

FFN Begins Assisting Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLB)

FFN tasked with providing market-based valuations to a FHLB, utilizing its proprietary market-based loan valuation model, FirstValue™.

2015

FFN Selected as Sale Advisor to Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae

FFN regularly assists the GSE's on non-performing residential loan sale offerings.

2016

Bliss Morris, Founder & CEO, Named 2016 Woman of Influence

Bliss Morris was named by HousingWire as a 2016 Woman of Influence. In 2016, FFN valued and sold over $5B in residential loans on behalf of Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FDIC and many of the nation's top banks.

2017

U.S. Department of Treasury Requests FFN's Assistance with Ukrainian Financial Crisis

FFN sold over $3.5B in non-performing loans and REOs on behalf of the Deposit Guarantee Fund and the National Bank of Ukraine, making great strides to draw international interest to Ukrainian investment opportunities.

2017

FFN receives Citibank's Innovation Partner Award

The Citi award recognized FFN's innovative technologies for loan data management that improve loan sale processes and productivity.

2018

FFN Sells First Wells Fargo Loan Portfolio

FFN continues to serve as Wells Fargo's loan sale advisor.

2019

FFN Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary

FFN celebrates 30 years of success thanks to our clients and dedicated team.

2020

FFN Sells Chornomorets Stadium Complex in Odessa, Ukraine

Landmark transaction signals direct foreign investment in Ukraine and the sale of more than $3.5 billion of NPLs and REOs in 18 months for Ukraine’s regulators and banks.

2021

FFN Completes Valuation and Disposition Strategy for $200 Billion SBA EIDL-COVID Portfolio

SBA taps FFN to create a comprehensive strategy to manage the $200 billion portfolio of SBA EIDL-COVID loans.

2023

FFN Launches First Financial Forum Webcast

FFN’s Founder and CEO, Bliss Morris, interviews thought leaders and industry experts to explore the trends that shape our markets.

2023

FFN Marketed and Sold Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) Germany Branch Assets on behalf of FDIC

In the FDIC's first international loan sale, FFN marketed $460 million in loans, leases and other assets from SVB Germany Branch.

Our Values

Our unyielding focus on excellence is evident in every facet of our work.

People First

We put people first - through our commitment to bringing success to our clients, our teamwork with each other and the depth of our relationships in the market.

Integrity Counts

We believe that trust is earned through integrity and accountability, so we put those values first in all of our transactions.

Community Impact

We are committed to being a force for positive change in our community by giving back, collaborating with community partners and regularly participating in local service opportunities as a company.

Our First Financial Loan Sale Experts

Our loan sale advisory team brings a depth of perspective and market intelligence that is unmatched in today’s industry. We evaluate current market trends and loan characteristics to plan how to sell your loans with the most benefit to you and your bottom line. Whether through a single loan sale or a large portfolio sale, we create a sale structure that fits your unique needs.

From proven marketing strategies to pinpoint accuracy in our valuation practice, we are a full-service loan sale advisory firm.

Meet Our Experts

Get Started With First Financial Network

Our loan sale advisory team has been leading the loan sale industry for decades. Reach out to learn more about our loan sale process.

Contact Us

Hear From Our Clients

FFN is a highly valued partner in Freddie Mac’s NPL transactions.

First Financial Network (FFN) is a highly valued partner in Freddie Mac’s Non-Performing Loan (NPL) Sale transactions. As co-advisor, FFN plays an important role in reaching out to non-profits and Minority, Women, Disabled, LGBTQ+, Veteran or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (MWDOBs), neighborhood advocacy organizations and promoting our program.

Freddie Mac | Senior Director

FFN's relationships are broad and deep.

FFN has been a trusted advisor for us – both on the buying and selling side.  We have appreciated their ability to handle all aspects and phases of the loan sale process, from valuation guidance to the minutia of detailed document transfer.  Their relationships are broad and deep, and the team’s market knowledge and candor help us all cut to the chase and get to successful resolution on transactions.

Bridge Lender & Equity Provider | Managing Partner

FFN has the pulse on ever-changing loan sale market.

As an investor, having started acquiring notes from the FDIC, I have known members of the FFN team since the beginning (for a very long time). As we have transitioned from having to travel around the country monitored by Bliss or Jamie to the current platform, the organization is as robust as ever and a leader in loan sale advisory.

Fund | Owner

FFN is top of the list.

My relationship with First Financial dates back over twenty years.  Whenever I’m asked to recommend a loan sale advisor, without hesitation, First Financial Network is at the top of my list.

National Bank | Senior Vice President

CEO Bliss Morris leads with the highest degree of personal integrity.

Bliss’ ability to manage these sales and create market liquidity in a very challenging economic environment has played an instrumental role in healing our country’s financial system. Bliss runs her company and conducts business with the highest level of personal integrity. She is a role model for working mothers and giving back to her community.

Money Center Bank | Senior Vice President, Global Risk Management

FFN brings a complete solution to its clients.

First Financial Network is an invaluable partner to financial institutions that need to develop a market to liquidate non-strategic and illiquid assets in the secondary market. FFN brings a complete solution to banks, from marketing, analysis, data collection and security, and a deep and impressive rolodex of buyers.

National Bank | Senior Vice President

FFN is focused on cutting edge technology & customer service.

I was a Senior Vice President at two of the top five US banks from 1992 to 2018.  I have had the pleasure of partnering with the First Financial Network team for almost 25 years. I have utilized their services to sell over 10,000 loans, either by large bulk sales of 1,500 notes or more, and one-off note sales. Bliss Morris and her team are extraordinary professionals. They are focused on cutting edge technology and customer service. I wholeheartedly recommend them for your note sale needs.

Financial Institution | Managing Director, Special Assets

FFN eliminates uncertainty in loan sale closings.

FFN’s team is a group of savvy professionals who have a nationwide reach, creating the ability to maximize pricing and execution. Their structured sales process eliminates significant uncertainty from the closings allowing bank professionals to leverage their resources and balance sheet.

Regional Bank | Managing Director

First Financial Network Loan Sale Advisory Services

Loan sales are our core business. All asset types and performance levels, domestic and international.

Quarterly Loan Sale Event™

Our Quarterly Loan Sale Event™ provides a secure, supported process to sell your loans every quarter.

Learn More

FirstValue™ Loan Valuation Model

The FirstValue™ model reflects market-based values for loan portfolios of any size, from one loan to thousands at a time, providing a more accurate valuation.

Learn More

Loan Sale Network™

Loan Sale Network™ is our secure online loan sale platform that integrates the due diligence, marketing and bidding component of large portfolio sales and individual loan trading.

Learn More

News and Perspectives

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