Developer docs
API playgroundTry for free, no card

Search company profiles

Academy Mortgage Corp

Full company profile

uuid003vq8z

Namestring
Academy Mortgage Corp
Legal namestring
Guild Mortgage Company
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
1993
Descriptiontext

Academy Mortgage Corp is a U.S. retail mortgage banking company that originates and services residential mortgage loans for individual homebuyers, military personnel, and second-home buyers. Founded in 1993 and originally headquartered in Draper, Utah, the company operated a national footprint of 200+ branches across the United States, serving more than 54,000 families per year. Its core product portfolio included fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, first-time homebuyer programs, second-home financing, and a correspondent lending program for institutional partners. Distribution combined a branch-based loan officer network with a digital platform offering mortgage calculators, online applications, and account servicing; revenue was generated primarily through gain-on-sale economics on originated loans, with no publicly disclosed pricing model.\n\nAcademy monetized through referral partnerships with home builders, real estate agents, financial advisors, and title agents, supplemented by a recognized brand presence (ranked #1 mortgage lender on Zillow). In 2025, Academy Mortgage was acquired by Guild Mortgage Company, a privately held San Diego-based mortgage lender; operations, customer relationships, and the 200+ branch network were absorbed into the Guild Mortgage platform, which now operates from 5887 Copley Drive, San Diego, CA. Prior to acquisition, the company settled a False Claims Act qui tam lawsuit for $38.5 million. Academy also operated the Academy Foundation for the Future, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering community-service initiatives in infrastructure, education, and housing (244,000 expedition hours, 1,683 communities, 70,000 meals, 50+ partners).\n\nThe company's underlying technology stack was not disclosed in available materials; the digital platform appears to be a standard web-based origination and servicing interface rather than a proprietary technology product. No AI/ML capabilities, patents, or proprietary data assets are referenced. With 1,001–5,000 employees and an acquired status, Academy Mortgage no longer operates as an independent entity, and its growth trajectory is now subsumed within Guild Mortgage's broader retail mortgage business.

Short descriptiontext

Academy Mortgage Corp is a U.S. retail mortgage lender originating residential loans through 200+ branches nationwide, serving 54,000+ families annually. Acquired by Guild Mortgage in 2025, it now operates within Guild Mortgage's platform.

Operating statusenum
Acquired
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
1,001–5,000
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersDraper, United States
HQ citystring
Draper
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices1 record

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
retail mortgage lending, residential mortgage services, home loan financing, mortgage origination, refinance services
Industry3 codes
1Purchase Mortgage Origination (Homebuyer Focused)
CodeFSALAAADPrimaryYes
2Retail Residential Mortgage Brokers (Purchase & Refinance)
CodeFSALABAAPrimaryNo
3Residential Mortgage Brokerage (Purchase & Refinance)
CodeFSAEAEAAPrimaryNo
NAICS code3 codes
  • Credit Intermediation and Related Activities522
  • Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers522310
  • Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers52231
SIC code2 codes
  • Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents6162
  • Loan Brokers6163
Product category
Residential Mortgage Lending
Marketing channels3 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Stage, Description, Source

Distribution channels3 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components5 values
Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
GTM typeB2C
B2C
Offering typeServices
Services
Core offering1 text field

Academy Mortgage Corp is a retail mortgage banking company that originates residential mortgage loans for individual homebuyers and refinancers. Its product portfolio includes fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, first-time homebuyer programs, and second home financing, delivered through a network of 200+ branches and supported by digital application tools. The company also provides tailored lending programs and technology tools to business partners such as home builders, real estate agents, and correspondent lenders.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Product overview1 text field

Academy Mortgage is a mortgage lending company that operated as a unified platform offering residential mortgage products. Following its acquisition by Guild Mortgage, the company now operates under the Guild Mortgage brand. The core product portfolio includes fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, first-time homebuyer programs, and second home financing. The company provides a suite of mortgage calculators (total payment, affordability, income, closing cost, refinance, home sale, and buying power) available through its online platform. Business partner services offer customized marketing support and technology tools for builders, real estate agents, title agents, and correspondent lenders. The company also maintains the Academy Foundation for the Future, a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on community assistance in housing, education, and infrastructure. Loan officers deliver personalized service tailored to individual borrower circumstances.

Product and service6 records
1Fixed-Rate Mortgage
CategoryResidential Mortgage
Description

Traditional mortgage with a consistent interest rate and monthly payment throughout the loan term, providing stability and predictability for homebuyers.

2Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
CategoryResidential Mortgage
Description

Mortgage with an interest rate that may change periodically based on market conditions, typically offering lower initial rates than fixed-rate options.

3First-Time Homebuyer Programs
CategoryResidential Mortgage
Description

Specialized mortgage solutions designed for first-time homebuyers, providing guidance and financing options tailored to those purchasing their first home.

4Second Home Financing
CategoryResidential Mortgage
Description

Mortgage products for purchasing a secondary residence or vacation home, with financing options tailored to non-primary residence properties.

5Business Partner Services
CategoryPartner Program
Description

Customized marketing support and technology tools for builders, real estate agents, title agents, and financial advisors, with access to one of the largest loan product portfolios in the industry.

6Correspondent Lending
CategoryPartner Program
Description

Correspondent lending program allowing partners to offer Academy's mortgage products through their own operations with backend support from Academy.

Scale indicator6 records

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Partnership5 partners
Strategic tierCoreTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2025-01-01
Description

Academy Mortgage was acquired by Guild Mortgage in 2025. Academy Mortgage is now part of Guild Mortgage, with existing Academy contacts accessible through the Guild Mortgage website. This represents a significant strategic acquisition expanding Guild Mortgage's market presence.

Strategic tierCoreTypeChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor
Description

Partnership program for home builders providing customized marketing support and powerful technology tools. Academy offers one of the largest loan product portfolios in the industry to support builder clients.

Strategic tierCoreTypeChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor
Description

Partnership program for real estate agents offering customized marketing support, powerful technology tools, and access to Academy's extensive loan product portfolio for referring clients.

Strategic tierMinorTypeChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor
Description

Partnership program for financial advisors providing integrated mortgage solutions for their clients alongside customized marketing support and technology tools.

Strategic tierMinorTypeChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor
Description

Business partner channel for title agents to facilitate mortgage referrals and coordinate on real estate transactions.

Recent move5 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight5 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Peers10 records
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

NewRez is a major non-bank mortgage lender offering retail, wholesale, and correspondent origination plus servicing. It competes with Academy in residential mortgage products through both direct consumer and partner channels.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Guild Mortgage is the parent company that acquired Academy Mortgage in 2025. Both operate retail residential mortgage origination with similar product portfolios (fixed-rate, ARM, FHA, VA, jumbo) and overlapping branch networks, making them the most directly comparable peers.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Rocket Mortgage (Rocket Companies) is the largest U.S. mortgage originator, offering a full suite of purchase and refinance mortgage products. While Academy Mortgage relies on branch-based relationships, Rocket is the dominant direct-to-consumer digital competitor in the same residential mortgage origination market.

TypeDirect peer
Description

CrossCountry Mortgage is a rapidly-growing privately-held retail mortgage lender with a national branch footprint comparable in scale and model to Academy. Both compete directly in purchase and refinance origination through branch-based loan officers.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

UWM is the largest U.S. wholesale mortgage lender, serving independent mortgage brokers. While Academy operates a retail branch model, both compete in the residential purchase and refinance origination market with overlapping broker/correspondent and retail channels.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Fairway is a privately-held retail mortgage lender operating a branch-based model similar to Academy, with comparable product breadth (conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo) and a focus on personalized loan officer service across multiple U.S. markets.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Pennymac is one of the largest U.S. mortgage lenders, with significant retail, wholesale, and correspondent origination channels plus a large servicing portfolio. It competes directly with Academy in residential purchase and refinance origination nationwide.

TypeDirect peer
Description

loanDepot is a large-scale retail and wholesale mortgage lender offering purchase and refinance products through both branch and digital channels. Like Academy, it serves first-time homebuyers, move-up buyers, and military borrowers with a relationship-driven model.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Caliber Home Loans is a large non-bank retail mortgage lender providing purchase and refinance products with a branch and partner-based distribution model. It overlaps directly with Academy in retail residential origination and military lending programs.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Movement Mortgage is a privately-held retail mortgage lender operating a branch-based model with a strong community focus similar to Academy. Both compete on personalized loan officer service, diverse product portfolios, and partnership networks with real estate agents.

Market position
Strengths5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Weaknesses5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat4 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights7 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Named customers6 records

Each record includes

Name, Industry, Type, Use case, Source, UUID

Segment3 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile3 records

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
No
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles6 records

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

Subsidiaries1 record

Each record includes

Name, Acquired on, Relationship type, Type, Business focus

No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Academy Mortgage Corp

Residential Mortgage Lendingacademymortgage.com

Academy Mortgage Corp is a U.S. retail mortgage lender originating residential loans through 200+ branches nationwide, serving 54,000+ families annually. Acquired by Guild Mortgage in 2025, it now operates within Guild Mortgage's platform.

What Academy Mortgage Corp does

Academy Mortgage Corp is a U.S. retail mortgage banking company that originates and services residential mortgage loans for individual homebuyers, military personnel, and second-home buyers. Founded in 1993 and originally headquartered in Draper, Utah, the company operated a national footprint of 200+ branches across the United States, serving more than 54,000 families per year. Its core product portfolio included fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, first-time homebuyer programs, second-home financing, and a correspondent lending program for institutional partners. Distribution combined a branch-based loan officer network with a digital platform offering mortgage calculators, online applications, and account servicing; revenue was generated primarily through gain-on-sale economics on originated loans, with no publicly disclosed pricing model.\n\nAcademy monetized through referral partnerships with home builders, real estate agents, financial advisors, and title agents, supplemented by a recognized brand presence (ranked #1 mortgage lender on Zillow). In 2025, Academy Mortgage was acquired by Guild Mortgage Company, a privately held San Diego-based mortgage lender; operations, customer relationships, and the 200+ branch network were absorbed into the Guild Mortgage platform, which now operates from 5887 Copley Drive, San Diego, CA. Prior to acquisition, the company settled a False Claims Act qui tam lawsuit for $38.5 million. Academy also operated the Academy Foundation for the Future, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering community-service initiatives in infrastructure, education, and housing (244,000 expedition hours, 1,683 communities, 70,000 meals, 50+ partners).\n\nThe company's underlying technology stack was not disclosed in available materials; the digital platform appears to be a standard web-based origination and servicing interface rather than a proprietary technology product. No AI/ML capabilities, patents, or proprietary data assets are referenced. With 1,001–5,000 employees and an acquired status, Academy Mortgage no longer operates as an independent entity, and its growth trajectory is now subsumed within Guild Mortgage's broader retail mortgage business.

Academy Mortgage Corp firmographics

Firmographics
Name
Academy Mortgage Corp
Legal name
Guild Mortgage Company
Website
https://academymortgage.com
Company type
Private
Founded year
1993
Operating status
Acquired
Headcount range
1,001–5,000 employees
Short description
Academy Mortgage Corp is a U.S. retail mortgage lender originating residential loans through 200+ branches nationwide, serving 54,000+ families annually. Acquired by Guild Mortgage in 2025, it now operates within Guild Mortgage's platform.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Academy Mortgage Corp industry classification

Industry
Product category
Residential Mortgage Lending
NAICS
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522), Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (522310), Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (52231)
SIC
Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162), Loan Brokers (6163)
akta.pro primary industry
Purchase Mortgage Origination (Homebuyer Focused) (FSALAAAD)
akta.pro secondary industries
Retail Residential Mortgage Brokers (Purchase & Refinance) (FSALABAA), Residential Mortgage Brokerage (Purchase & Refinance) (FSAEAEAA)

Keywords

  • Retail mortgage lending
  • Residential mortgage services
  • Home loan financing
  • Mortgage origination
  • Refinance services

Where Academy Mortgage Corp is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Draper
HQ country
United States
HQ region
North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

Academy Mortgage Corp business model

Business model
GTM type
B2C
Offering type
Services
Cost components
Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Academy Mortgage Corp product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Academy Mortgage Corp is a retail mortgage banking company that originates residential mortgage loans for individual homebuyers and refinancers. Its product portfolio includes fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, first-time homebuyer programs, and second home financing, delivered through a network of 200+ branches and supported by digital application tools. The company also provides tailored lending programs and technology tools to business partners such as home builders, real estate agents, and correspondent lenders.

Product overview

Academy Mortgage is a mortgage lending company that operated as a unified platform offering residential mortgage products. Following its acquisition by Guild Mortgage, the company now operates under the Guild Mortgage brand. The core product portfolio includes fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, first-time homebuyer programs, and second home financing. The company provides a suite of mortgage calculators (total payment, affordability, income, closing cost, refinance, home sale, and buying power) available through its online platform. Business partner services offer customized marketing support and technology tools for builders, real estate agents, title agents, and correspondent lenders. The company also maintains the Academy Foundation for the Future, a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on community assistance in housing, education, and infrastructure. Loan officers deliver personalized service tailored to individual borrower circumstances.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

  • Fixed-Rate Mortgage Traditional mortgage with a consistent interest rate and monthly payment throughout the loan term, providing stability and predictability for homebuyers.
  • Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Mortgage with an interest rate that may change periodically based on market conditions, typically offering lower initial rates than fixed-rate options.
  • First-Time Homebuyer Programs Specialized mortgage solutions designed for first-time homebuyers, providing guidance and financing options tailored to those purchasing their first home.
  • Second Home Financing Mortgage products for purchasing a secondary residence or vacation home, with financing options tailored to non-primary residence properties.
  • Business Partner Services Customized marketing support and technology tools for builders, real estate agents, title agents, and financial advisors, with access to one of the largest loan product portfolios in the industry.
  • Correspondent Lending Correspondent lending program allowing partners to offer Academy's mortgage products through their own operations with backend support from Academy.

Companies that use Academy Mortgage Corp

Customer profile

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Academy Mortgage Corp technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Academy Mortgage Corp partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

  • Guild MortgagecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Academy Mortgage was acquired by Guild Mortgage in 2025. Academy Mortgage is now part of Guild Mortgage, with existing Academy contacts accessible through the Guild Mortgage website. This represents a significant strategic acquisition expanding Guild Mortgage's market presence.
  • Home BuilderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership program for home builders providing customized marketing support and powerful technology tools. Academy offers one of the largest loan product portfolios in the industry to support builder clients.
  • Real Estate AgentscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership program for real estate agents offering customized marketing support, powerful technology tools, and access to Academy's extensive loan product portfolio for referring clients.
  • Financial AdvisorsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership program for financial advisors providing integrated mortgage solutions for their clients alongside customized marketing support and technology tools.
  • Title AgentsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness partner channel for title agents to facilitate mortgage referrals and coordinate on real estate transactions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Academy Mortgage Corp competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad incumbents

  • NewRez (formerly New Penn Financial): NewRez is a major non-bank mortgage lender offering retail, wholesale, and correspondent origination plus servicing. It competes with Academy in residential mortgage products through both direct consumer and partner channels.
  • Rocket Mortgage: Rocket Mortgage (Rocket Companies) is the largest U.S. mortgage originator, offering a full suite of purchase and refinance mortgage products. While Academy Mortgage relies on branch-based relationships, Rocket is the dominant direct-to-consumer digital competitor in the same residential mortgage origination market.
  • United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM): UWM is the largest U.S. wholesale mortgage lender, serving independent mortgage brokers. While Academy operates a retail branch model, both compete in the residential purchase and refinance origination market with overlapping broker/correspondent and retail channels.
  • Pennymac Financial Services: Pennymac is one of the largest U.S. mortgage lenders, with significant retail, wholesale, and correspondent origination channels plus a large servicing portfolio. It competes directly with Academy in residential purchase and refinance origination nationwide.
  • Caliber Home Loans: Caliber Home Loans is a large non-bank retail mortgage lender providing purchase and refinance products with a branch and partner-based distribution model. It overlaps directly with Academy in retail residential origination and military lending programs.

Direct peers

  • Guild Mortgage: Guild Mortgage is the parent company that acquired Academy Mortgage in 2025. Both operate retail residential mortgage origination with similar product portfolios (fixed-rate, ARM, FHA, VA, jumbo) and overlapping branch networks, making them the most directly comparable peers.
  • CrossCountry Mortgage: CrossCountry Mortgage is a rapidly-growing privately-held retail mortgage lender with a national branch footprint comparable in scale and model to Academy. Both compete directly in purchase and refinance origination through branch-based loan officers.
  • Fairway Independent Mortgage: Fairway is a privately-held retail mortgage lender operating a branch-based model similar to Academy, with comparable product breadth (conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo) and a focus on personalized loan officer service across multiple U.S. markets.
  • loanDepot: loanDepot is a large-scale retail and wholesale mortgage lender offering purchase and refinance products through both branch and digital channels. Like Academy, it serves first-time homebuyers, move-up buyers, and military borrowers with a relationship-driven model.
  • Movement Mortgage: Movement Mortgage is a privately-held retail mortgage lender operating a branch-based model with a strong community focus similar to Academy. Both compete on personalized loan officer service, diverse product portfolios, and partnership networks with real estate agents.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Academy Mortgage Corp social profiles

Digital presence

Academy Mortgage Corp financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Academy Mortgage Corp leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Academy Mortgage Corp subsidiaries and ownership

Company hierarchy

Subsidiaries1 record

Academy Mortgage Corp funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Academy Mortgage Corp M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Academy Mortgage Corp

What does Academy Mortgage Corp do?

Academy Mortgage Corp is a retail mortgage banking company that originates residential mortgage loans for individual homebuyers and refinancers. Its product portfolio includes fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages, first-time homebuyer programs, and second home financing, delivered through a network of 200+ branches and supported by digital application tools. The company also provides tailored lending programs and technology tools to business partners such as home builders, real estate agents, and correspondent lenders.

Is Academy Mortgage Corp a public or private company?

Academy Mortgage Corp is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.

When was Academy Mortgage Corp founded?

Academy Mortgage Corp was founded in 1993. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.

Where is Academy Mortgage Corp based?

Academy Mortgage Corp is headquartered in Draper, United States, in the North America region.

Who are Academy Mortgage Corp's main competitors?

Broad incumbents on record are NewRez (formerly New Penn Financial), Rocket Mortgage, United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), Pennymac Financial Services and Caliber Home Loans. Direct peers are Guild Mortgage, CrossCountry Mortgage, Fairway Independent Mortgage, loanDepot and Movement Mortgage.

Does Academy Mortgage Corp have an API?

No public API is recorded for Academy Mortgage Corp.

What industry is Academy Mortgage Corp in?

Academy Mortgage Corp's product category is Residential Mortgage Lending. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSALAAAD, Purchase Mortgage Origination (Homebuyer Focused), with a secondary code of FSALABAA, Retail Residential Mortgage Brokers (Purchase & Refinance). Its NAICS code is 522 and its SIC code is 6162.

Unlock the full company data

50 free credits on sign-up, no credit card required.

Contact sales
Live signals
innovation.ca.govUtah-Based Mortgage Company Must Pay $825,000 for Failing to Protect Californians’ Personal InformationThe California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ordered Utah-based Academy Mortgage Corporation to pay a $825,000 fine for failing to adequately protect the personal information of over 284,000 individuals. The penalty stems from serious cybersecurity deficiencies that left the company vulnerable to a ransomware attack in March 2023, which compromised data including Social Security numbers and birthdates. In addition to the fine, Academy Mortgage must provide one year of free identity theft insurance to affected customers and implement robust cybersecurity measures.The National Law ReviewThe Fee Request Cases that Are Worthwile: Thrower v Academy MortgThe Ninth Circuit in United States ex rel. Thrower v. Academy Mortgage Corp. reversed a district court's 1.75 lodestar multiplier that had increased attorneys' fees to $8.59 million, ruling the enhancement was not adequately justified. Academy Mortgage had previously settled the underlying False Claims Act case for $38.5 million, with over $11 million paid to relator Gwen Thrower under the qui tam provision. The appellate panel held that the two main justifications cited—extensive investigative work and exceptional results—were already reflected in the lodestar calculation, and without specific evidence showing the lodestar still undervalued counsel's work, the multiplier was improper.The National Law Review9th Circuit Case Emphasizes How Litigants Drive Litigation UnderThe Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reviewed a $38.5 million False Claims Act settlement between whistleblower Gwen Thrower and Academy Mortgage Corporation, overturning a 1.75 multiplier that had increased attorney’s fees to $8.6 million. The court ruled that fee enhancements beyond the lodestar calculation should be reserved only for rare and exceptional cases, and that even an “unprecedented result” may not justify such enhancements. The case illustrates how private litigants can drive FCA litigation even when the government declines to intervene or moves to dismiss.PR NewswireAcademy Mortgage Corporation Announces Partnership With Homebot Client-For-Life PortalAcademy Mortgage Corporation has announced a strategic partnership with Homebot, Inc. to integrate its client-for-life portal into the mortgage lender's operations. This collaboration aims to help Academy Mortgage loan officers automate client retention strategies and strengthen relationships with real estate agents through personalized home finance information.