Bank2 home loan voucher program offers many families home ownership opportunity

This article appeared in the June 2017 edition of the Chickasaw Times

Home ownership has been a dream that has been difficult to obtain for many Americans. But in one Chickasaw family, the dream was fulfilled for two generations through a program available at Bank2 in Oklahoma City.

Caitlynne Miller and her husband, Jared, had been frequent movers and renters, both in and out of the Oklahoma City area. However, they both knew that eventually they wanted to own their own home.

“It was always our endgame,” Ms. Miller said. “With our oldest child getting ready to start school, we knew that we wanted a forever home.”

The Millers qualified for the loan using the HUD 184 Home Loan Program for Native Americans and financing through Bank2, a national leader for Native American home loans and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation.

The HUD 184 loan program offers qualified buyers a low down payment option and competitive interest rates, aspects that attracted Ms. Miller to that type of home loan.

In addition to qualifying for the loan, she received a $1,000 voucher as a part of Bank2 program designed to ease the burden of closing costs. Under the program, open to Chickasaw citizens and Chickasaw Nation employees, the voucher can be used at the time of closing strictly to pay home loan closing fees such as home inspections, property appraisals, and lender and title fees.

In 2016, the voucher program’s inaugural year, Bank2 president and CEO Ross Hill said over 70 home buyers from four states took advantage of the home loan closing cost voucher.

“We are very pleased to be able to continue serving Chickasaw citizens and employees as they make one of the largest purchases in their lives,” Mr. Hill said. “It is our hope that this program alleviates some stress of the homebuying process and helps them complete their dream of home ownership.”

Ms. Miller learned about the program from her mother, Kim Hulsey, who was going through the process of buying a house under the Bank2 program. That discussion was a big influence on her decision to buy a house.

“She highlighted all of the pros, and the lower interest rate and the down payment assistance… those helped a lot,” Ms. Miller said. “But I don’t know we would have heard about it all without her.”

The Millers closed on March 19, 2016; Ms. Hulsey just days later. Two generations – mother and daughter – realizing the dream of owning a home.

Closing on the home was also a defining moment for the whole family.

“This is really great with the kids, because we feel like this is the home where they will grow up, where the neighbors they meet will be their friends,” Ms. Miller said. “At Christmas, this is where the tree and decorations will go and where we will always put them.”

More information about the program can obtained by calling 1-877-409-2265 or by going to the Bank2 website at www.bank2cc.com.