SPRINGFIELD — The Applied Mortgage Team of HMA Mortgage announced that Lindsay Barron LaBonte, branch manager and senior loan officer of the Applied Mortgage team, was honored recently with two awards. She was recognized as one of the Loan Officers of the Year by the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Assoc. and Best of the Valley’s Best of 2026 Podcaster. These honors recognize LaBonte’s achievements in the mortgage industry as well as her community impact, highlighting her professionalism and strong work ethic.

The Loan Officer of the Year awards recognize outstanding loan officers in the mortgage industry who exemplify excellence in production, professionalism, and partnership. Nominees were evaluated based on their performance in today’s purchase-driven market, year-over-year growth, and a range of key performance criteria.

LaBonte’s “Real People, Real Estate” podcast delves into the genuine, real-world experiences of buying, selling, and navigating the real estate journey. She shares authentic stories, expert insights, and creates a welcoming space for listeners to feel supported and understood. The podcast is produced in partnership with Easthampton Media.

“I’m honored to be recognized as a Loan Officer of the Year by the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association and Best of the Valley’s Podcaster/Podcast finalist. Truly, the recognition belongs to my team,” LaBonte said. “The Applied Mortgage Team shows up every single day with unmatched dedication, heart, and a commitment to helping our clients and each other succeed, and I’m proud to be in the trenches alongside them. I’m incredibly grateful to lead such a driven, supportive group that proves success is built through collaboration.”

NORTHAMPTON — The Applied Mortgage Team of HMA Mortgage announced that Lindsay Barron LaBonte, branch manager and senior loan officer of the Applied Mortgage team, will be honored with the Peter V. Kocot Community Service Award from the Northampton St. Patrick’s Assoc. at its award ceremony this month.

This recognition celebrates a chosen person who has distinguished himself or herself through substantial community service contributions in Western Mass. The ceremony will take place on Friday, March 13 at 7 a.m. at Hotel Northampton, 36 King St., Northampton.

The Peter V. Kocot Community Service Award honors the legacy of the late, former state representative’s unwavering commitment to community, education, and local agriculture. During his service, Kocot secured critical funding to help develop Grow Food Northampton’s youth education program, creating opportunities for young people to connect with the land and learn the value of sustainable food systems. His dedication to strengthening both education and agriculture continues to inspire community-centered leadership across Western Mass.

LaBonte is being recognized for her outstanding commitment to community service and local impact. Through her leadership and volunteer efforts across Western Mass., she has consistently invested her time, resources, and voice in initiatives that strengthen families and expand opportunity. Her dedication reflects the spirit of the award: uplifting others, building meaningful partnerships, and creating lasting change in the communities she proudly serves.

“Receiving the Peter V. Kocot Community Service Award from the Northampton St. Patrick’s Association is an honor. Peter’s leadership and loss left a lasting mark on our community, and I remember clearly how profound that impact was on me as a young adult,” LaBonte said. “I’m incredibly proud to carry on his legacy and a reminder of the responsibility we all share to show up, lead with heart, and give back to Western Mass. in meaningful ways.”

SPRINGFIELD — The Applied Mortgage Team of HMA Mortgage announced that Jessica LaMothe, loan partner and valued member of the Applied Mortgage team, was honored with the Rising Star Award by the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Assoc. at its Award Breakfast on Jan. 21. This prestigious recognition celebrates emerging leaders in the mortgage industry who demonstrate exceptional performance, dedication, and promise for continued success.

The Rising Star Award was created to recognize exceptional up-and-coming association member professionals who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential, dedication to their profession, and a strong commitment to excellence.

“Jessica LaMothe is truly an MVP of the Applied Mortgage Team, keeping everything running smoothly and everyone on track,” the company stated. “While timely closings and clear communication are standard in the industry, they are simply Jessica’s baseline; she consistently goes above and beyond to deliver exceptional results.”

Lamothe began her professional journey working alongside Nicole Laurie, Applied Mortgage Team Operations lead, in the retail industry before being recruited into the mortgage business in 2016. In her current role, Lamothe works closely with the loan origination team to guide each homebuyer from preapproval to closing and beyond. She serves as a key point of communication among all parties involved, including homebuyers and homeowners, Realtors, attorneys, and insurance agents to ensure every transaction is seamless and exceeds expectations.

“I’m thankful for the guidance and encouragement of my colleagues who believed in me early on and continue to do so every day. I’m excited to keep building a career rooted in integrity, innovation, and service,” LaMothe said. “What we do is so important, and I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of one of the biggest milestones in our customers’ lives.”

Lindsay Barron LaBonte, branch manager of the Applied Mortgage Team at HMA Mortgage, added that “Jessica LaMothe is a Rising Star in every sense. Her down-to-earth demeanor puts homebuyers and homeowners at ease, while behind the scenes she is disciplined, detail-driven, and deeply committed to integrity and efficiency. I’m incredibly proud of Jess and her accomplishments and the impact she has on our team and clients.”

NORTHAMPTON — The Applied Mortgage Team, a branch of HMA Mortgage, has long believed that giving back to the communities it serves is not just part of its mission, but at the heart of it. This belief was once again evident throughout the third quarter of 2025 as the team supported a wide range of community programs, fundraisers, and events through sponsorships, donations, volunteerism, and participation.

Applied Mortgage’s third-quarter sponsorships included the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd annual charity golf tournament, the Welcome New Teachers Bags program of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, Community in Action’s “Celebrating the Career of Clare Higgins” event, and the Northampton Jazz Festival.

In addition, the Applied Mortgage Team supported the William E. Norris School after the PTO shared news of school budget cuts. When Anytime Nutrition in Southampton pledged to donate a portion of profits for one week in August and called for other local businesses to match, Applied Mortgage joined with Hackworth School, Kent Brothers, Paisano’s, bankESB, Parker & O’Grady, and Anytime Nutrition to collectively raise $5,000.

The team also served as presenting sponsor of Northampton Neighbors’ third annual Doozy Do Parade. More than a festive march, this serves as an intergenerational gathering through which, along with accompanying Downtown Doozy festivities, raises awareness and financial support for Northampton Neighbors, which offers free services and programs enabling older adults in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds to remain independent, engaged, and connected in place.

The team also organized and participating in HMA Volunteer Day and gave back through Habitat for Humanity’s Build Day in Greenfield. The group rolled up their sleeves to help provide safe and affordable housing for families in need.

The Applied Mortgage Team also decided in July to launch its own community growth initiative, Local Love Days. Created to support small businesses and strengthen community ties, Local Love Days mobilizes Applied Mortgage’s extended network of clients, partners, and friends to shop locally and show their support. On select days, Applied Mortgage partners with area businesses and provides attendees with a complimentary thank-you item. This quarter’s highlights included a happy hour at Gigantic in Easthampton, a complimentary nutrition drink at Anytime Nutrition in Southampton, a community yoga class at Serenity Yoga in South Hadley, and a free ‘fright bite’ at Familiars Coffee & Tea to kick off the Great Northampton Haunt.

Beyond sponsorships and programs, the Applied Mortgage Team remained deeply involved in the fabric of the communities it serves. From charity golf tournaments and chamber networking events to family-friendly celebrations and educational seminars, the team made it a priority to show up, connect, and contribute. A sample of third-quarter participation includes the 2025 Kevin J. Major Memorial Golf Tournament, the Easthampton Firefighters Charitable Foundation Golf Scramble, Greenfield’s Independence Day Fireworks Celebration, and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Super Breakfast, among many others.

“Our commitment to community goes far beyond financial contributions. It is about being present, engaged, and intentional with how we support the places where we live and work,” said Lindsay Barron LaBonte, branch manager of the Applied Mortgage Team. “We are proud to partner with so many organizations that make a lasting impact, and we will continue to do our part to help our communities thrive.”