HERMISTON – Home Loan Center recently honored loan officer Duane Johnson at its annual awards banquet.

Johnson earned the honor of Commercial Loan Officer of the Year.

He provided the greatest volume of commercial lending for Home Loan Center in 2006.

Two Walla Walla employees also were honored.

Tim Applebee was recognized as loan officer of the year for both total dollar volume and number of loans closed. He also received the most improved loan officer award with the highest increase in volume from 2005 to 2006.

Jessica Crudup, also of the Walla Walla office, was named processor of the year. She closed the largest number of loans in the Home Loan Center network.

The company presented 10-year service awards to Mark Freedle, Michelle Freedle, Carlos Jaques and Applebee.

Home Loan Center operates four branches in Southeast Washington and Northeast Oregon under parent company, Mann Mortgage LLC.

When Mann Mortgage held its annual awards in Palm Springs, Calif., Applebee and Johnson were recognized as top 10 percent producers.

Mann Mortgage has 19 branches and six satellites operating in six states.