Alta Home Lending Ranked Top Small Employer
The San Antonio company secured the top spot among small employers in 2026 as it expanded its workforce.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Residential
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Alta Home Lending, a firm headquartered in San Antonio, earned the top ranking for small employers in the region during 2026. This recognition coincides with a significant growth phase for the company, which now employs 150 staff members.
Why it matters
The company maintains growth by acquiring established firms like Republic State Mortgage Co. and forming strategic joint ventures with homebuilders to remain sustainable despite national mortgage rates rising above 7%.
Alta Home Lending currently employs 150 staff members, nearly doubling the 80 employees held at the time of the Republic State Mortgage Co. acquisition. The firm operates within a national market where average long-term mortgage rates have climbed above 7%.
The players
Andrina Valdes
She is a co-founder of Alta Home Lending who entered the mortgage industry in 1998.
Manuel Valdes
He is a co-founder of Alta Home Lending with decades of experience in the mortgage sector.
DRB Group
This is a homebuilding organization that partnered with Alta Home Lending in 2026 to create a mortgage joint venture.
Republic State Mortgage Co.
This is an established mortgage firm that was acquired by Alta Home Lending in April 2025.
Legend Homes
This is a homebuilder that utilizes mortgage services managed by Alta Home Lending.
The details
Founded by Andrina and Manuel Valdes, the company utilizes a growth strategy that involves acquiring mortgage firms for platform infrastructure and partnering with builders like DRB Group and Legend Homes. The founders pursued this model after leaving their previous employer following a leadership change.
Timeline
1998: The Valdeses entered the mortgage industry.
2019: Angel Ortiz began working in the mortgage industry.
January 2025: The last period when mortgage rates remained below 7%.
April 2025: The founders acquired Republic State Mortgage Co.
September 2026: The company entered a joint venture partnership with DRB Group.
Culture Shift
Alta Home Lending follows the industry trend of establishing homebuilder-affiliated mortgage joint ventures to capture more consistent leads. This model represents a strategic shift toward tighter integration between residential construction and financing services.
The firm's aggressive hiring plan and joint ventures with homebuilders may expand financing options for residents in the San Antonio area. Customers working with builders like Legend Homes may see more integrated mortgage service offerings as the company grows.
The takeaway
Smaller firms are increasingly competing for top talent by pursuing aggressive growth through acquisitions and builder partnerships. These integrations can offer significant opportunities for career advancement and stable operational models in volatile interest rate environments.
What happens next
The company has announced plans to double its current staff size within the next 12 months.
Further reading
For more information on the regional housing market, visit San Antonio Residential.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Antonio Express-News.
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