From Marine Corps Hard Charger to Mortgage Mogul

From his beginnings in the Marine Corps to navigating the complexities of the financial sector in Chicago, Michael Fehrenbacher's journey is one of resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit.

After completing his college education and an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Fehrenbacher embarked on his career in finance, obtaining licenses in securities, insurance, and mortgages. His initial aspiration to become a trader on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade was met with a setback, but Fehrenbacher's belief in "Try and Fail is okay but never fail to try" fueled his determination for success.

Reuniting with a high school friend led Fehrenbacher to Federal Financial Group, where he honed his skills in financial planning, specializing in retirement savings and mortgages. With Federal Financial Group having limited resources in the mortgage market, and Fehrenbacher realizing it was his passion for mortgages that truly piqued his interest in the financial sector, Fehrenbacher decided to pursue a career specializing in the mortgage market.

Transitioning to Hartland Mortgage Center, Fehrenbacher thrived as a top producer, driven by his pursuit of excellence and relentless work ethic. Feeling like he found a career path for life, Fehrenbacher began to have many ideas. With limited growth opportunities, he decided to incorporate. With the blessing of the company's owner, he ventured into entrepreneurship, founding MidWest Funding Bancorp, Inc.

Working long hours, establishing a steady stream of clients, realtors and Loan Officers, Fehrenbacher began to establish MidWest Funding Bancorp as a one-stop mortgage office. Over time, he incorporated the ability to broker mortgages, fund mortgages, service mortgages, and to protect against fraud,  Fehrenbacher incorporated a title company to underwrite the title work on the properties. His company flourished, expanding into multiple states with dozens of branch offices. However, the financial crisis of 2008 brought unprecedented challenges, forcing Fehrenbacher to navigate regulatory hurdles and market downturns.

In a strategic move, Fehrenbacher negotiated the sale of MidWest Funding Bancorp. By negotiating the loans MidWest Funding Bancorp serviced, along with the banking warehouse lines established, the company was sold in 2012 to First Southern Capital Bank.  As one chapter closed, another began, echoing the sentiment that "everything goes full circle."

Michael Fehrenbacher feels to this day that the sale was a win/loss situation. As sad as he was to sell the company, he also felt it was time to move on. Fehrenbacher’s  journey stands as a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives success in the ever-changing landscape of the financial industry.