EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Mortgage, a division of bankESB, recently announced that three homeownership assistance programs will soon be available to lower-income homebuyers across Massachusetts and neighboring states.

Hometown Mortgage has been selected to participate in three grant programs funded by FHLBank Boston. The Equity Builder Program provides grants of up to $32,099 to income-eligible, first-time homebuyers to help with down payment or closing costs or to supplement rehabilitation costs associated with the purchase. The Housing Our Workforce Program provides grants of up to $25,000 toward down payment or closing costs. Funds will be available starting April 1.

The FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership Program provides grants of up to $40,000 toward down payment or closing costs for first-generation homebuyers. This program will begin on April 1.

Last year, Hometown Mortgage borrowers received nearly $3.5 million in grants from their participation in the FHLBank Boston programs. For 2026, Hometown Mortgage hopes to raise that amount across the three grant programs.

For all programs, applications are submitted, and grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for as long as funds remain available. Only owner-occupied units intended to be used as the homebuyer’s primary residence are eligible for funding. Eligible units include one- to four-family properties, townhouses, and condominiums. Income restrictions apply. For all FHLBank Boston programs, homebuyer counseling courses through an approved agency are required.

Other requirements and restrictions may apply. For more information and to determine eligibility, contact a Hometown Mortgage loan officer at (855) 230-3939 or visit hfgmortgage.com/grant-programs.

Maria Luker

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Mortgage, a division of bankESB, announced that Maria Luker has been named one of MassHousing’s top loan originators for the fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Luker earned recognition as a Platinum Level originator — one of only two in Massachusetts.

MassHousing, Massachusetts’ affordable housing agency, named Luker the top loan originator in Essex, Middlesex, and Norfolk counties, and one of the top originators in the state. This recognition highlights her commitment to expanding access to homeownership, particularly among low- and moderate-income families.

“We are thrilled to recognize Maria as a Platinum Lender,” said Mounzer Aylouche, vice president of Homeownership Programs at MassHousing. “Her efforts and commitment to affordable housing helped us have a record-breaking year, with 3,768 loans funded in FY25.”

With nearly 30 years of lending experience, Luker has leveraged her deep knowledge and passion to simplify the borrowing process and support clients through every step of their homebuying journey.

“Maria has an unbelievable talent for identifying the best programs available and helping borrowers navigate a complex mortgage landscape,” said Ryan Kirwin, executive vice president of Residential Lending at Hometown Mortgage. “This recognition is a direct reflection of her dedication and positive impact on families across our region.”

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Mortgage recently announced it had helped more than 50 low- and moderate-income families across Massachusetts and neighboring states buy homes through securing nearly $1.5 million in grants from homeownership programs in 2025.

Hometown Mortgage helped borrowers secure more than $1 million in grants from three programs funded by FHLBank Boston. The Equity Builder, Housing Our Workforce, and Lift Up Homeownership programs provided grants of $25,000 to $50,000 to qualifying borrowers to help with down payments, closing costs, or home improvements once purchased.

In addition, Hometown Mortgage set aside $200,000 for its own Special Purpose Credit grant program, providing grants of up to $10,000 to income-eligible borrowers purchasing homes in select areas of Springfield, Holyoke, and Worcester.

Hometown Mortgage Executive Vice President Ryan Kirwin noted that the effort demonstrates Hometown Mortgage’s continued commitment to helping borrowers realize their dream of homeownership by making it more affordable, adding that the grants directly address homebuyers’ biggest and most persistent obstacles: saving for a down payment, a decrease in affordability due to higher rates, and the lack of affordable housing inventory.

“These issues create overwhelming obstacles that many borrowers find nearly impossible to overcome without assistance,” Ryan said. “While we can’t solve every problem in the housing market, these grants make a world of difference, providing down payment assistance, closing cost assistance, and the ability to buy down an interest rate and reducing their monthly payments.”

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Mortgage, a division of bankESB, recently announced that four homeownership assistance programs will soon be available to lower-income homebuyers across Massachusetts and neighboring states.

Hometown Mortgage has set aside $200,000 for a new Special Purpose Credit grant program, available to borrowers purchasing homes in select areas of Springfield. Grants of up to $10,000 per eligible borrower are now available. This grant can be combined with the bank’s affordable loan product or another conventional first mortgage loan offered by bankESB. Borrowers must be at or below 150% of the area’s median income to be eligible.

In addition, Hometown Mortgage has been selected to participate in three grant programs funded by FHLBank Boston. The Equity Builder program provides grants of up to $25,000 to income-eligible, first-time homebuyers to help with down payment or closing costs or to supplement rehabilitation costs associated with the purchase. The Housing Our Workforce program provides grants of up to $25,000 or 10% of the home’s sale price, whichever is less, toward down payment or closing costs. Funds will be available starting April 1.

The FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership Program provides grants of up to $50,000 toward down payment or closing costs for people of color purchasing their first home. This program will begin on April 1.

The Special Purpose Credit grant may be awarded in combination with any one of the three FHLBank Boston program grants to borrowers who qualify.

In 2024, Hometown Mortgage borrowers received more than $900,000 in grants from the Special Purpose Credit program and participation in the three FHLBank Boston programs. For 2025, Hometown Mortgage hopes to raise that amount across all four grant programs to more than $1 million.

For all programs, applications are submitted, and grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for as long as funds remain available. Only owner-occupied units intended to be used as the homebuyer’s primary residence are eligible for funding. Eligible units include one- to four-family properties, townhouses, and condominiums. Income restrictions apply. For all FHLBank Boston programs, homebuyer counseling courses through an approved agency are required. Other requirements and restrictions may apply.

For more information and to determine eligibility, contact a Hometown Mortgage loan officer at (855) 230-3939 or hfgmortgage.com.

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Mortgage will host a three-day, virtual first-time-homebuyer seminar on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Oct. 22-24, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. each day.

Experienced lending professional Shauna Roberts will lead the seminar in partnership with NewVue Communities. This seminar will help attendees qualify for special mortgage products, provide tips to improve their credit, and prepare them as they approach this important life decision.

This three-day, virtual seminar costs $50 per household. Click here to register.

Trent Rivers

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Mortgage recently promoted Trent Rivers to equity and consumer loan manager, based in Easthampton.

Rivers has 15 years of banking experience, including his most recent role as loan specialist. He joined Hometown Mortgage as a consumer loan coordinator in 2017. Prior to that, he was a branch supervisor at NBT Bank.

Rivers has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Westfield State University and completed coursework in the school of banking at the Pennsylvania Bankers Assoc.

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Mortgage will host a first-time-homebuyer workshop on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. via Zoom.

Experienced lending professional Deborah O’Rourke will lead this certified course organized by NeighborWorks Housing Solutions. The workshop will help attendees qualify for special mortgage products, provide tips to improve their credit, and prepare them as they approach this important life decision.

This hybrid workshop (four online hours and four class hours via Zoom) costs $45 per person or household (two people). Click here for more information and to register.

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Mortgage is hosting three first-time homebuyer seminars on Tuesday, June 6; Wednesday, June 7; and Tuesday, June 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 7 Campus Lane in Easthampton.

Jeff Hutchins, mortgage loan originator at Hometown Mortgage, along with other real-estate professionals, will lead this certified course recognized by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership and MassHousing. This workshop will help attendees qualify for special mortgage products, provide tips to improve their credit, and prepare them as they approach this important life decision.

The cost to attend one of these first-time homebuyer seminars is $50 for two adults in the same household. For more information and to register for one of the upcoming events, visit valleycdc.org.

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Mortgage, a division of bankESB, recently announced that Jessica Oliver has been hired as a loan officer.

Oliver has more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry. Prior to her hiring at Hometown Mortgage, she was employed as a loan officer at First Eastern Mortgage for 15 years and at Fairway Independent Mortgage for nearly seven years.