Derek Haffner at First United Bank in Oklahoma City: Mortgage Lending and Refinancing
Derek Haffner works as a mortgage loan originator at First United Bank, a regional lender with branches across Oklahoma that handles residential mortgages, refinances, and home equity lines of credit for Oklahoma City borrowers. His role is to guide applicants through loan origination, meaning he takes applications, explains loan products, orders appraisals and title work, and shepherds files toward underwriting and closing. First United Bank operates as a full-service community bank rather than a mortgage-specific shop, which shapes how Haffner's services fit into the Oklahoma City lending landscape.
What Haffner and First United Bank actually handle
Haffner originates loans for home purchases, cash-out refinances, and rate-and-term refinances. Purchase loans typically cover single-family homes, townhomes, and condos in the Oklahoma City metro area. First United Bank does not advertise jumbo loans or portfolio lending for non-traditional borrowers, meaning applicants with irregular income, minimal down payment, or credit challenges may find fewer options here than at a specialized mortgage broker. The bank offers conventional loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as government-backed products including FHA, VA, and USDA mortgages, covering the standard range for Oklahoma City buyers with varying credit profiles and down payment capacity.
Services, loan types, and pricing structure
First United Bank offers 15-year and 30-year fixed-rate mortgages as standard products. Interest rates and fees fluctuate with market conditions; the bank does not publish a rate sheet online, so applicants must contact Haffner or another loan officer directly to receive a Loan Estimate. Closing costs at First United typically include origination fees (often 0.5 to 1 percent of the loan amount), appraisal fees (usually $400 to $600 in the Oklahoma City area), title insurance, and escrow setup. Down payment minimums depend on loan type: conventional loans often require 3 to 20 percent down, while FHA loans can close with 3.5 percent. First United does not charge prepayment penalties on mortgages, meaning borrowers can pay off loans early without fees.
The bank does not offer construction-to-permanent loans or portfolio products for self-employed borrowers with complex tax returns. Borrowers needing those products should contact a mortgage broker with access to non-bank lenders.
How First United Bank compares to other Oklahoma City mortgage lenders
First United Bank competes with national servicers like Rocket Mortgage and Better.com, which operate entirely online and often advertise lower closing costs and faster closings. The trade-off is that online lenders typically have less flexibility on credit scores or employment verification and may charge higher rates to offset volume-based pricing. Local alternatives include independent mortgage brokers such as those operating through Reneaux Mortgage or smaller credit unions like First Community Bank; brokers can access loans from 20 or more wholesale lenders, giving applicants more product options if they have unusual income or lower credit scores.
First United Bank's advantage lies in relationship lending: borrowers can work face-to-face with Haffner or visit a branch on North Robinson Avenue or elsewhere in Oklahoma City for questions during the loan process. A borrower buying a primary residence with good credit, stable W-2 income, and a down payment of 10 percent or more will find similar rates and terms at First United as at a national lender; the difference is convenience and personal contact. A self-employed applicant or someone with a 580 credit score should compare First United's options against a mortgage broker before committing.
Who benefits from working with Haffner at First United
First United Bank suits Oklahoma City homebuyers and refinancers with conventional employment, credit scores of 620 or above, and down payments of at least 5 percent for conventional loans. The bank's VA and USDA programs serve military-connected borrowers and rural buyers with limited down payment savings. Borrowers who value in-person communication, prefer dealing with a named loan officer, or want to keep their mortgage and checking account at the same institution are good fits.
The bank is less suitable for borrowers with self-employment income, recent bankruptcy, scattered W-2 employment history, or very low credit scores; those applicants should consult a mortgage broker with access to portfolio lenders or nontraditional programs. Investors buying rental properties may find limited options, as First United's marketing focuses on owner-occupied mortgages.
What to expect on your first contact
Call or visit a First United Bank branch to request an initial consultation with Haffner or another loan officer. Expect a conversation about your purchase price or refinance goal, approximate credit score, down payment amount, and employment situation. The officer will provide a pre-qualification estimate (not a formal pre-approval) and discuss which loan products fit your profile. To move forward, you will supply pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns, bank statements, and a signed application; the bank will pull your credit and order an appraisal. First United typically closes loans within 30 to 45 days for straightforward transactions.
Hours, location, and how to reach Haffner
First United Bank operates branch locations across Oklahoma City, including the main office at 101 North Robinson Avenue, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon. Haffner can be reached through the main branch number or via the bank's loan origination department; verify current contact information on First United Bank's website, as staff numbers and extensions change. Ample parking is available at the North Robinson location and other branches.
Derek Haffner and First United Bank serve Oklahoma City borrowers seeking straightforward mortgages backed by a local, deposit-taking bank rather than a mortgage-only or online operation.
