Lower, a venture-backed mortgage lender and homeownership fintech platform, has acquired Acopia Home Loans to deepen its footprint across the Southeastern U.S. and add scale to its retail originations business. The deal brings Acopia’s network of 14 branches and 36 loan originators into Lower’s platform and is expected to contribute more than $425 million in annual loan production, according to the companies.
The acquisition comes as Lower continues to push a national expansion strategy built around regional buildouts and senior talent recruitment. In December, Lower launched a West Coast division led by industry veteran Gino Fronti, and the company said the Acopia transaction represents another step in growing its distributed retail branch network alongside its digital mortgage platform.
Founded in 2007, Acopia Home Loans has expanded across 12 Southeastern states, positioning itself as a relationship-driven lender focused on local partnerships and a service-first approach. Lower said Acopia’s leadership team and sales culture—centered on execution and accountability—align with its broader goal of building a technology-enabled homeownership platform that supports both borrowers and loan officers.
“We’re excited to welcome Team Acopia and continue to build on the legacy Joey and his team have established over the past two decades,” said Lower Co-Founder Mike Baynes. He said Acopia’s reputation and local relationships fit with Lower’s effort to “create the leading homeownership platform for originators and consumers” and accelerate growth across key regional markets.
Under the agreement, Acopia employees will join Lower and operate as “Team Acopia” within Lower’s Southeast division. Lower said the combined organization will leverage expanded product offerings, operational efficiencies, and its longer-term technology and AI roadmap aimed at improving the borrower experience and enabling loan officers.
Lower, founded in 2014, said it has generated more than 30,000 five-star online reviews and operates through a mix of online customer acquisition and a distributed retail branch model. The company said it is backed by Accel Partners, SoFi, and Huntington Bank. Acopia, headquartered in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, operates through its mortgage banking subsidiary Acopia Home Loans and is licensed in 12 states.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’re excited to welcome Team Acopia and continue to build on the legacy Joey and his team have established over the past two decades… Their strong relationships and reputation align with our vision to create the leading homeownership platform for originators and consumers… Together, we see a significant opportunity to accelerate our shared momentum.”
Mike Baynes, Co-Founder, Lower
“The future just got even brighter for our team… I remain amazed that we were able to find a company that aligned so well with our values and vision… The team at Lower continues to impress day after day and has made our transition almost seamless. We are very thankful and excited to be a part of the Lower family.”
Joey Davidson, President, Acopia Home Loans
