From his beginnings in the Marine Corps to navigating the complexities of the financial sector in Chicago, Michael Fehrenbacher's journey is one of resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit.
After completing his college education and an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Fehrenbacher embarked on his career in finance, obtaining licenses in securities, insurance, and mortgages. His initial aspiration to become a trader on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade was met with a setback, but Fehrenbacher's belief in "Try and Fail is okay but never fail to try" fueled his determination for success.
Reuniting with a high school friend led Fehrenbacher to Federal Financial Group, where he honed his skills in financial planning, specializing in retirement savings and mortgages. With Federal Financial Group having limited resources in the mortgage market, and Fehrenbacher realizing it was his passion for mortgages that truly piqued his interest in the financial sector, Fehrenbacher decided to pursue a career specializing in the mortgage market.
Transitioning to Hartland Mortgage Center, Fehrenbacher thrived as a top producer, driven by his pursuit of excellence and relentless work ethic. Feeling like he found a career path for life, Fehrenbacher began to have many ideas. With limited growth opportunities, he decided to incorporate. With the blessing of the company's owner, he ventured into entrepreneurship, founding MidWest Funding Bancorp, Inc.
Working long hours, establishing a steady stream of clients, realtors and Loan Officers, Fehrenbacher began to establish MidWest Funding Bancorp as a one-stop mortgage office. Over time, he incorporated the ability to broker mortgages, fund mortgages, service mortgages, and to protect against fraud, Fehrenbacher incorporated a title company to underwrite the title work on the properties. His company flourished, expanding into multiple states with dozens of branch offices. However, the financial crisis of 2008 brought unprecedented challenges, forcing Fehrenbacher to navigate regulatory hurdles and market downturns.
In a strategic move, Fehrenbacher negotiated the sale of MidWest Funding Bancorp. By negotiating the loans MidWest Funding Bancorp serviced, along with the banking warehouse lines established, the company was sold in 2012 to First Southern Capital Bank. As one chapter closed, another began, echoing the sentiment that "everything goes full circle."
Michael Fehrenbacher feels to this day that the sale was a win/loss situation. As sad as he was to sell the company, he also felt it was time to move on. Fehrenbacher’s journey stands as a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives success in the ever-changing landscape of the financial industry.
Shortly after the sale of my previous company, I received a call from AXA Financial. They were looking for someone with my background to assist local school districts with their 403(b) plans and government municipalities with 457 plans in the Chicagoland area. The offer sounded too good to be true, but I decided to seize the opportunity. This marked the beginning of my journey as a contractor for AXA Financial, where I could put my securities license back to work in a meaningful way.
With this new venture, I decided to incorporate, establishing M&M Financial & Insurance Agency. This time, I was not alone; my son, Jake Fehrenbacher, joined me on this journey. Together, we combined our strengths, leveraging my securities, insurance, and mortgage licenses to serve our clients better.
Navigating the COVID Storm
Just as we were getting settled into our new roles, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and everything changed. The world went into lockdown, and our business faced unprecedented challenges. With appointments canceled and work at a standstill, I was once again faced with uncertainty.
Then, another call came in—this time regarding health insurance. Initially hesitant, I realized that this was an opportunity for Jake to build his own book of business. After discussing it with him, we decided to dive in together. The volume of incoming calls was incredible, and working alongside my son proved to be a rewarding experience. I'm incredibly grateful to Humana for allowing us to be part of their commercial ad, which gave us the exposure we needed during such challenging times.
Serving Those Who Served: Working with Veterans
As COVID restrictions began to ease, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I reached out to my connections at the VA Medical Center, which led to me being appointmented as an outside representative to work with veterans, helping them access benefits they may not receive from the VA. As a dedicated veteran myself, this opportunity resonated deeply with me. It aligned perfectly with my passion for serving those who have served our country.
Today, while I still work in the investment & mortgage market—primarily focusing on investment properties nationwide—I have shifted my main focus to working with veterans. There’s nothing more fulfilling than meeting in person different veterans, sharing stories, and spending time with the incredible individuals who make up our Armed Forces. The military continues to this day, to shape me, into the man I am today.
A Heartfelt Thank You
In this ever-changing world, one thing remains constant: the value of service—both to our clients and to our community. As I continue on this journey with M&M Financial & Insurance Agency, I carry a deep sense of gratitude for those who have served.
You can never say it enough: Thank you for your service!
Semper Fi.
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