Growing Together: How Friendship, Trust, and Diverse Lending Are Powering Movement’s Momentum
By: Movement Team
April 6, 2026
Twenty‑seven years ago, Marcus French was asked a simple question by a man he had just met.
“Are you afraid of hard work and helping people achieve their dreams?”
That moment sparked a friendship with Al Perez that has now spanned nearly three decades.
From the start, Marcus and Al built their careers side by side, grounded in shared values, mutual trust, and a people‑first approach. Their story has never been defined by a single milestone, but by consistency and a shared commitment to helping families achieve homeownership.
Two years ago, that long‑standing partnership found a new home at Movement Mortgage. Since joining the company, Marcus and Al have experienced meaningful professional growth, national recognition, and an even deeper impact in the communities they serve.
“If you show up, work hard, and genuinely care about people, the results follow,” Marcus says. “Movement gave us an environment where that mindset is supported.”
For Al, the transition felt natural. “Movement understands that lending is personal, especially in multicultural communities,” he shares. “The support here allows me to serve my clients authentically.”
That philosophy shows up most clearly in Al’s work through Movement’s Comunidad initiative, which supports Latino loan officers and Hispanic homebuyers through education, advocacy, and culturally aware lending.
As a NAHREP Top 250 honoree, Al’s success reflects both personal discipline and an approach that prioritizes culture, language, and real‑life financial dynamics.
“When you understand the emotional weight behind financial decisions, everything changes,” Al says. “Comunidad is a commitment to showing up better for our families.”
That commitment shows up through multilingual support, awareness of nontraditional savings patterns, and loan solutions rooted in trust.
Comunidad is part of a broader effort within Movement to invest intentionally in diverse lending. According to Montell Watson, VP of Diversity Lending, that investment is producing measurable results.
“We’ve doubled the number of Black President’s Club loan officers and celebrated our first Black Change Maker,” Montell says. “That happens when you create real pathways for growth.”
That momentum continues with the 2026 Grab the Key Legacy Builders, a group of leaders who represent the heart of Movement’s growth and its belief that access creates opportunity. Marcus is part of this year’s Legacy Builders, a recognition that reflects the consistency and long‑term impact he has delivered throughout his career.
Marcus and Al are part of the New Jersey market led by Alex Rivera, who is intentionally building a diverse and high‑performing loan officer team.
“When clients feel represented, trust forms faster,” Alex explains. “That trust leads to stronger relationships and better outcomes.”
For Marcus, the work remains personal.
“We’re still making dreams happen,” he says. “Now, we’re doing it at a bigger scale with people who care just as deeply.”
As Movement continues to grow, stories like Marcus and Al’s serve as a reminder that when you grow together, everyone moves forward.
“Are you afraid of hard work and helping people achieve their dreams?”
That moment sparked a friendship with Al Perez that has now spanned nearly three decades.
From the start, Marcus and Al built their careers side by side, grounded in shared values, mutual trust, and a people‑first approach. Their story has never been defined by a single milestone, but by consistency and a shared commitment to helping families achieve homeownership.
Two years ago, that long‑standing partnership found a new home at Movement Mortgage. Since joining the company, Marcus and Al have experienced meaningful professional growth, national recognition, and an even deeper impact in the communities they serve.
“If you show up, work hard, and genuinely care about people, the results follow,” Marcus says. “Movement gave us an environment where that mindset is supported.”
For Al, the transition felt natural. “Movement understands that lending is personal, especially in multicultural communities,” he shares. “The support here allows me to serve my clients authentically.”
That philosophy shows up most clearly in Al’s work through Movement’s Comunidad initiative, which supports Latino loan officers and Hispanic homebuyers through education, advocacy, and culturally aware lending.
As a NAHREP Top 250 honoree, Al’s success reflects both personal discipline and an approach that prioritizes culture, language, and real‑life financial dynamics.
“When you understand the emotional weight behind financial decisions, everything changes,” Al says. “Comunidad is a commitment to showing up better for our families.”
That commitment shows up through multilingual support, awareness of nontraditional savings patterns, and loan solutions rooted in trust.
Comunidad is part of a broader effort within Movement to invest intentionally in diverse lending. According to Montell Watson, VP of Diversity Lending, that investment is producing measurable results.
“We’ve doubled the number of Black President’s Club loan officers and celebrated our first Black Change Maker,” Montell says. “That happens when you create real pathways for growth.”
That momentum continues with the 2026 Grab the Key Legacy Builders, a group of leaders who represent the heart of Movement’s growth and its belief that access creates opportunity. Marcus is part of this year’s Legacy Builders, a recognition that reflects the consistency and long‑term impact he has delivered throughout his career.
Marcus and Al are part of the New Jersey market led by Alex Rivera, who is intentionally building a diverse and high‑performing loan officer team.
“When clients feel represented, trust forms faster,” Alex explains. “That trust leads to stronger relationships and better outcomes.”
For Marcus, the work remains personal.
“We’re still making dreams happen,” he says. “Now, we’re doing it at a bigger scale with people who care just as deeply.”
As Movement continues to grow, stories like Marcus and Al’s serve as a reminder that when you grow together, everyone moves forward.
