With 32 years of experience, Carlos Mata is known as the go-to lender for business owners who would like to obtain a mortgage. Born in Panama City, Panama, Mata came to the United States in 1986 as an exchange student. Hired by a local bank after college, he soon earned a position in the mortgage department. 

Now the vice president of lending and branch manager at Rate, Mata has experienced substantial loan-production growth in recent years. He credits much of his success to building and receiving support from a strong team. 

A member of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, Mata has been one of their top 250 Hispanic originators in the country from 2017 to 2025. In 2000, Mortgage Originator Magazine listed him among their top 250 originators in the country, and in 2006, he appeared in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40. He is a key player in Rate’s Language Access Program and serves on the Access Capital for Entrepreneurs Board. 

Rate, Inc. is a private corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware. It has no affiliation with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture or any other government agency. 

Finalists 
Allison Beldick, Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group 
Jessica Bernstein, BankSouth Mortgage