New West Hartford Mortgage Bank Targets Hispanic Homebuyers In Hartford Area

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A new mortgage bank recently opened in West Hartford, with the bank's mission including a desire to help Hispanic families reach home ownership.

Americasa, a division of Nationwide Mortgage Bankers, has opened a new branch office at 998 Farmington Ave., expanding its presence in Connecticut and its outreach to Hispanic homebuyers in the Hartford region.

The office, located just off Interstate 84 along a major commercial corridor, is part of the company’s broader New England expansion.

Company officials said the new branch will focus on home finance education and improving access to mortgage products for Hispanic families, a group historically underrepresented in homeownership.

According to U.S. Census data cited by the company, 44.5 percent of the population in and around Hartford identifies as Hispanic or Latino.

“Metro-Hartford and the Connecticut River Valley are so perfectly located and a natural fit for our expansion in New England,” said Yasser Valdés Herrera, vice president of Americasa. “As Americasa continues to expand our banking footprint and incorporate our homebuying and financial solutions, our banking professionals are opening doors for Hispanic families to achieve their dream of having a place to call home.”

The West Hartford branch will be led by Wanda Cassarino, a mortgage banking professional with more than 30 years of experience in the Hartford area.

Cassarino previously served as a regional director for the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, a HUD-certified counseling nonprofit, for nearly 16 years.

“Americasa planting its flag here in the Hartford area shows our deep commitment towards engaging, supporting, empowering, and educating Hispanic families as they work toward owning a home,” Cassarino said.

Company officials said the branch will offer a range of mortgage products tailored to borrowers who may not fit traditional lending criteria, including down payment assistance, ITIN loans, foreign national loans, and non-qualified mortgage programs.

Michael Brennan, president of Nationwide Mortgage Bankers, said the expansion reflects growing demand for more flexible and education-focused lending services in the region.

“Consumers across the Hartford and Connecticut River Valley Region will love the deep financial insights that Wanda Cassarino and her team bring to this housing market, and we are excited for her to lead our mortgage team taking shape in New England,” Brennan said.