Loan specialists for the subsidiary are located in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties in South Florida. Loan specialists also can meet applicants at other locations, and applicants can apply online. "The opening of Union Bank Mortgage Corp. is a natural progression for our business," according to Russ Holland, chief lending officer for Union Bank who will oversee the new subsidiary. "We offer our customers a full array of financial services, which now includes competitive home loans."

Union Bank, one of the largest community banks in the area and a leader in commercial real estate lending, has served South Florida's commercial business, consumer and professional clientele for more than 30 years. Union Bank, based here, has 18 banking centers in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, and more than $847 million in assets.

One of Union Bank's very recent commercial transactions was the financing, along with the nonprofit Florida First Capital Finance Corp., of Baron Manufacturing's $3.9 million-purchase of a 100,000-sf plant in Pompano Beach.