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The Merit Team

Ralph Labendz, President and Founder:  Ralph graduated Rutgers University Law School in 1971 and immediately began his career in Real Estate law. An attorney with foresight, Ralph’s law practice was the first in Morris County to be computerized. Remaining on the cutting edge of technology is a key focus of Ralph’s with Merit as well to ensure efficiency and most of all in this day and age, our clients’ security and privacy. His background in Real Estate Law enables him to "see around the corner" and eliminate difficulties before they arise.

Marilyn Shain, Vice President: Prior to beginning her work with merit in 1993, Marilyn taught Spanish for over a decade. Her experience as a teacher allows her to specialize in offering and explaining proposals and their worthiness in terms of each specific borrower's needs.  She consistently helps people understand what is in front of them so that they may make educated choices.

Barry Labendz, Sales and Marketing: Barry began his career in mortgages after graduating Muhlenberg College in 2004, moving to New York City and taking a position as a loan officer in a brokerage firm.  After two years of working strictly as a loan officer, Barry left the company to accept a position as a Branch Manager at the downtown Manhattan office of a national lender.  For two years, Barry was responsible not only for his own business but for the underwriting and processing operations for the entire office.   In 2007 Barry’s local ideals and entrepreneurial spirit took him back to his roots, Merit Financial where he is currently manages sales and marketing.

Lois Labendz: Office Manager/Closing Coordinator: Long involved in business as an administrative assistant, Lois moved easily into the head of the closing department. Lois has 25 years experience working with a small CPA firm on tax returns and filing, and as such has developed a keen sense of follow through and compliance with details. As the main closing agent at Merit for the last 10 years, Lois is the one who cheerfully but firmly makes sure that the attorneys, title companies and insurance agencies involved with the final and critical stages of real estate closings meet the guidelines and the deadlines. Thanks to Lois’ persistence, confidence and sunny disposition, transactions close smoothly and on time.

Mimi Hassinger: Underwriter: For the last 6 years Mimi has been the backbone of our processing and underwriting, constantly amazing us with her extensive knowledge of regulations, programs, guidelines and stipulations. Mimi's attention to detail and understanding of our files ensures our investor approval each and every time. Consequently, our loans get approved speedily with little or no conditions to be cleared, making the mortgage process easy and free of stress for our staff, and most importantly, for you, our borrowers.

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Besides the fact that I compared all rates and they gave me the best possible rate, Merit has been cool, calm and collected when I call stressed and neurotic. Merit has stayed on top of all my paperwork in a very timely fashion and kept everything moving smoothly.

Larry C.

Call us at 1-973-331-5600