Matthew Hunter’s path to becoming Aiken’s most trusted mortgage professional was anything but predictable. His journey began far from the world of home loans, rooted instead in chemical equations and engineering plans. A 1991 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Hunter earned degrees in chemical engineering and biochemistry before moving south to begin a career as an environmental engineer. He spent eight years working at the Savannah River Site, driven by the idealism that defines so many young engineers, a desire to make a difference and change the world.
But he soon learned that big systems are slow to change. “I had some ideas I really believed in,” he recalls, “but I kept running into walls.” Frustrated and searching for a new direction, Hunter found himself at a crossroads. Around that time, his wife, Kristi, had completed medical school in Charleston and received a residency in Augusta. The couple moved to North Augusta to begin a new chapter.
Kristi’s medical career was taking off, and Hunter, eager to spend time with their boys, decided to step away from engineering and take on the role of stay-at-home dad with their move to Eatonton GA. The plan sounded simple enough until reality set in. “That lasted about six months,” he says with a laugh. “Kristi came home one evening after a long shift, and the house was a disaster. The boys and I had a great day, but there was no dinner on the table and no groceries in the fridge. She looked at me and said, “You have got to get a job.’”
As fate would have it, his mother had started Hunter Mortgage Inc. in Aiken and happened to need help at the office. It seemed like a temporary arrangement at the time, but that decision would launch a career that’s now spanned over 25 years. He spent his time learning all the ropes of the industry and how to treat his clients with dignity and respect.
The early 2000s brought a refinancing boom, and the office was busier than ever. Hunter began splitting his time between Georgia and Aiken, commuting several days a week to lend a hand. A few days turned into a full week, and before long, the Hunter family moved back to Aiken permanently. “It wasn’t a path I planned,” he admits, “but looking back, it was exactly where we were supposed to end up.”
At Hunter Mortgage, Hunter discovered that the skills he had honed as an engineer, precision, problem-solving and attention to detail, translated perfectly into the mortgage world. But what truly drew him in wasn’t the numbers or the paperwork; it was the people. He realized he loved helping clients navigate one of the most significant decisions of their lives. “I’ve always seen this job as a vocation, not just an occupation,” he says.
For Hunter, the most rewarding moments come when first-time homebuyers walk into their new homes. He takes pride in making the process less intimidating. “I love working with people who’ve never bought a house before,” he explains. “You can see the anxiety at the start, but when they sign those papers and get their keys, that joy is contagious. It’s fulfilling every single time.”
Eventually, the family business began to wind down. His parents, Al and Beverlie, who had both poured their lives into Hunter Mortgage, were ready to slow down. His father, an accountant who had spent his career at Westinghouse before joining the family firm, handled payroll and reporting while his mother led the way and set the standard for taking care of all of her clients. “They were dedicated to the end, but it was time for them to be able to step back and enjoy all of their hard work.” What followed was a change in direction for the business.
That change came through an unexpected connection. One of Kristi’s patients mentioned that her husband worked for Assurance Financial in Columbia. A conversation turned into an introduction, and soon Hunter connected with the company’s leadership team. The more he learned, the more he felt it was the right move. “It just happened organically,” he says. “Assurance had the resources and infrastructure to handle all the back-office work so I could focus on what I love most, helping people.”
Assurance Financial, a company that was boutique-built and enterprise-backed, offered exactly what Hunter had been looking for. The firm operates with the personal, concierge-style service of a boutique lender where every client feels known and supported but with the strength, technology and resources of a large financial institution. “It’s truly the best of both worlds,” Hunter explains. “We can deliver that small-town level of care and attention that Aiken deserves while having the backing of a big corporate company that gives our clients confidence and security.”
Hunter leads his office with the same warmth and integrity that has defined his entire career. At his side is Kayla, an exceptional assistant who keeps the office running seamlessly “Kayla’s amazing,” Hunter says. “She keeps everything on track and makes sure our clients always feel supported.”
Of course, no visit to Hunter’s office at Assurance Financial would be complete without greeting his two loyal golden retrievers, Loki and Bowie. The friendly pair are beloved by clients, often lounging by the door or wagging their tails to welcome visitors. “They’re part of the family,” Hunter says. “People will drop by just to say hi to them.”
Matthew’s story is one of perseverance and finding fulfillment in unexpected places. From environmental engineer to trusted mortgage professional, his journey reflects a belief that the best careers aren’t always planned; they’re built on passion, relationships and faith.