History

Started by one.

Built by many.

With over five decades of experience in providing loans, service, and expertise to homebuyers, Guild Mortgage upholds an enduring presence in the lending community. By strategically meeting the ups and downs of the real estate and financial markets, Guild has remained steadfast in its mission to provide affordable home financing, unsurpassed service, and a dedicated workforce to meet our customers’ needs.

Guild is now a nationally recognized mortgage banking company with more than 250 branches and satellites serving homebuyers throughout the United States.

1960s

The Beatles burst on the scene, and John F. Kennedy challenged us to reach the moon.

The company was named “Guardian Mortgage” before it became Guild.

FHA Pioneers
Guild became experts in government backed loans for first time homebuyers.

A Company was Born

Guild Mortgage was founded in San Diego in 1960 by Martin Gleich.

Tech Culture

From the beginning, Guild began exploring the use of technology to improve its operations.

Home Building

At first, Guild provided loans only to purchasers of homes built by American Housing Guild.

In the beginning, Guild serviced loans using pegboards with carbon paper ledgers.

American Housing Guild built numerous homes near Lake Murray in San Diego.

This house was built in 1961 by American Housing Guild, Martin Gleich’s company.

Martin Gleich’s first company, American Housing Guild, built more than 20,000 homes.

In the beginning, Guild serviced loans using pegboards with carbon paper ledgers.

American Housing Guild built numerous homes near Lake Murray in San Diego.

This house was built in 1961 by American Housing Guild, Martin Gleich’s company.

Martin Gleich’s first company, American Housing Guild, built more than 20,000 homes.

1970s

Innovation in Tech

By designing and operating its IT systems in-house, Guild distinguished itself in the mortgage industry.

Go West

Business was good, and Guild opened its first branch offices in other western states.

Homebuyer Advocates

Always an advocate for first time homebuyers, Guild began working with Ginnie Mae.

Topped Out

American Housing Guild built the last of over 20,000 homes in the west.

Tech Culture

Guild’s first computer was an IBM with no monitor and 24kb RAM.

See that funny thing in the corner with Guild programmer Mike Smolik? That's what personal computers used to look like.

Guild was one of the first mortgage companies to integrate computer technology into its daily operations. Back then, mainframe computers were so big they needed their own room. They ran 24 hours a day, and Guild’s IT staff was always on call to fix any problems. Even if it was 3 am.

Early IBM computers saved data onto large reels of magnetic tape. This IBM System 3 Mainframe could potentially store up to 10MB of data, depending on how it was configured.

IBM System 3 computers were programmed with key punch cards like this one.

Early computers were prone to jams and required ongoing monitoring to run smoothly.

See that funny thing in the corner with Guild programmer Mike Smolik? That's what personal computers used to look like.

Early IBM computers saved data onto large reels of magnetic tape. This IBM System 3 Mainframe could potentially store up to 10MB of data, depending on how it was configured.

IBM System 3 computers were programmed with key punch cards like this one.

Early computers were prone to jams and required ongoing monitoring to run smoothly.

1980s

Fast Forward

High speed data transfer, mobile phones and personal computers helped redefine customer service.

Business Diversification

Guild added consumer timeshare loans to its portfolio and purchased Red Carpet Realty.

Diversification began in 1984 with the purchase of Red Carpet Realty, the company that introduced franchising to the real estate industry.

With the Red Carpet purchase, Guild brought lending and real estate sales under one roof. It turned out to be an unprofitable combination. In 1988, Guild sold Red Carpet to Central Holding Company, a Detroit-based financial services firm.

At first, the Red Carpet purchase was good for both companies.

Diversification began in 1984 with the purchase of Red Carpet Realty, the company that introduced franchising to the real estate industry.

At first, the Red Carpet purchase was good for both companies.

A New Direction

Mary Ann McGarry joined Guild and introduced entrepreneurial management to the company.

The Wall Comes Down

After 28 years, the Berlin wall came down, effectively ending the cold war.

Business Expands

Guild launched its wholesale mortgage business with great success.

Guild jumped into the wholesale mortgage business in the 1980s, sparking dramatic growth for the company.

Mary Ann McGarry set the tone for continued company expansion.

Steady growth continued, and Guild’s portfolio reached $2 billion by the middle of the decade.

The past 10 years have been good for Guild. From its home office in San Diego, Guild now has offices in 11 states.

Guild jumped into the wholesale mortgage business in the 1980s, sparking dramatic growth for the company.

Mary Ann McGarry set the tone for continued company expansion.

Steady growth continued, and Guild’s portfolio reached $2 billion by the middle of the decade.

The past 10 years have been good for Guild. From its home office in San Diego, Guild now has offices in 11 states.

Blast Off!

The first space shuttle Columbia took to the skies in a spectacular launch from Florida.

1990s

Enterprise Branches Grew

Entrepreneurial branch managers sparked renewed growth and increased profitability.

Star Struck

The Hubble space telescope entered orbit, sending back the clearest images ever taken of our galaxy.

The Internet Gets Busy

New browsers and the “World Wide Web” took hold and brought email to the office.

Easier Qualifying

Guild established automated underwriting, which streamlined the process of qualifying buyers for loans.

Cloning

The first mammal was cloned and Dolly the sheep was elevated to celebrity status.

Computers Shrink

Laptops allow greater mobility and flexibility to Guild employees.

2000s

The End of an Era

Guild founder Martin Gleich retired in 2007 and Mary Ann McGarry became CEO.

Site Title

When the Bubble Burst

The housing market imploded, causing great distress to families across the country.

Weathering the Storm

Guild avoided the sub-prime market and emerged from the downturn healthy and strong.

A Fresh Identity

After 40 years, Guild introduced a new company logo design.

The original Guild Mortgage logo conveyed a sense of stability and strength on its building in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego.

The Guild Mortgage logo was redesigned as new forms of communications technology emerged.

The redesigned Guild Mortgage signage was placed at the entrance to the company’s headquarters in San Diego.

The redesigned Guild Mortgage logo was displayed at the reception desk inside the company's headquarter in San Diego.

The Guild logo was adapted for the company website.

Guild celebrated 50 years in business with a special logo to commemorate that milestone.

The original Guild Mortgage logo conveyed a sense of stability and strength on its building in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego.

The Guild Mortgage logo was redesigned as new forms of communications technology emerged.

The redesigned Guild Mortgage signage was placed at the entrance to the company’s headquarters in San Diego.

The redesigned Guild Mortgage logo was displayed at the reception desk inside the company's headquarter in San Diego.

The Guild logo was adapted for the company website.

Guild celebrated 50 years in business with a special logo to commemorate that milestone.

Terror Strikes

On September 11, 2001, the country, and the world, were changed forever.

Going Social

Facebook and Twitter became a fixture in our lives, as did interactive websites, smartphones and HD TV.

2010s

Winning the West

From its home office in San Diego, Guild oversees over 70 branch offices in 11 western states.

Optimism Prevails

As it grows, Guild continues to deliver outstanding service with a small company feel.

A Revamped Website

Educational materials and interactive tools become an integral part of the Guild web experience.

Tech Evolves

Smartphone apps and web-based cloud technology keep Guild employees and clients connected.

Remembering Martin Gleich

Guild’s Founder passes away at the age of 87.

The Time for First Time Homebuyers

Low home prices and interest rates create a great market for first timers.