Alta Home Lending Led San Antonio Small Employers
The mortgage firm doubled its staff count in 2026 while navigating a high-interest rate environment.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Residential
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Alta Home Lending, founded by Andrina and Manuel Valdes, ranked as the top small employer in the San Antonio area in 2026. The company expanded its staff from 80 to 150 members during a year when national mortgage rates climbed above 7%.
Why it matters
The firm remains active despite long-term national mortgage rates rising above 7% since early 2025. This growth highlights how strategic partnerships with homebuilders, such as Legend Homes, can help mortgage providers remain sustainable in a fluctuating market.
Alta Home Lending, which maintains a current staff of 150, earned the top spot for San Antonio small employers in 2026. This ranking followed the company's April 2025 acquisition of Republic State Mortgage Co. to scale its infrastructure.
The players
Alta Home Lending
A San Antonio-based mortgage firm that manages lending services for builders like Legend Homes and partners with national entities like DRB Group.
Andrina and Manuel Valdes
The founders of Alta Home Lending who have worked in the mortgage industry since 1998.
The details
Alta Home Lending utilizes a growth model centered on acquiring established mortgage firms, such as Republic State Mortgage Co., to gain immediate platform infrastructure. The company also manages mortgage services for Legend Homes and recently formed a joint venture with DRB Group in September 2026 to expand its service capacity across Texas, Colorado, and Arizona.
Timeline
1998: The Valdeses entered the mortgage industry.
April 2025: The founders acquired Republic State Mortgage Co.
September 2026: The company partnered with DRB Group.
The Home Front
Alta Home Lending continues to grow despite the sustained pressure of long-term national mortgage rates remaining above 7% since early 2025. This expansion highlights a trend of consolidation among regional mortgage lenders seeking to maintain market viability through builder partnerships.
If you are currently shopping for a mortgage, research whether your builder works with a specific preferred lender to access competitive financing options. Keep in mind that high-rate environments make comparing multiple loan estimates from both regional and national lenders essential.
The takeaway
The company plans to double its workforce size over the next 12 months as it expands operations across Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. Homebuyers should monitor local lending partnerships when evaluating new-build properties, as these can offer unique closing cost or interest rate advantages.
Further reading
Learn more about local real estate trends in our San Antonio Residential section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Antonio Express-News.
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