get ready for
A lending team that’s focused on you.
At Luminate Bank, we’re redefining the home loan industry by ditching the old bad habits and bringing together a team with decades of experience. Our mission? To align with your vision and help you unlock your full potential through smarter finances.
>> Our Team
We believe lending should be easy to understand and approachable. With transparency and consistency at the heart of everything we do, we’re here to make sure every step is clear and every decision is made in your best interest.
๏ปฟOur goal is to keep you informed, engaged, and confident at every turn—so, let us introduce you to the staff who make it all happen!
Tom Thiel
Mortgage Loan Originator | NMLS# 1068566
Tom Thiel has spent nearly twenty years helping homebuyers and homeowners navigate the mortgage process. A Bloomington-Normal native, Tom brings deep local roots, hands-on lending experience and a genuine passion for helping people reach their homeownership goals.
Tom was raised in Bloomington-Normal and graduated from Central Catholic High School before earning his degree from Illinois Wesleyan University. His connection to the community has remained strong throughout his career, both professionally and through his continued support of local organizations.
Experience From Every Step of the Mortgage Process
Tom's career has included roles as a loan processor, loan officer assistant, and loan officer. That progression has given him a valuable understanding of the mortgage process from multiple perspectives.
Today, Tom works with a variety of mortgage programs, including Conventional, FHA, Rural Development, and VA loans, as well as down payment assistance programs. Through Luminate Bank, borrowers can access a broad range of mortgage options, and Tom is licensed to lend in all 50 states.
A Passion for First-Time Buyers and Veterans
Helping people become homeowners is what Tom enjoys most about mortgage lending.
He particularly enjoys working with first-time homebuyers and helping them understand the steps involved in purchasing their first home. For many buyers, the mortgage process can feel overwhelming at first. Tom takes pride in helping clients navigate their options and move toward homeownership with greater confidence.
VA financing is another area that is especially meaningful to Tom. He considers it a great honor to help veterans use their VA home loan benefits to purchase a home.
Looking ahead, Tom's goal is to continue helping buyers purchase the homes they dream of while also assisting existing homeowners who may benefit from refinancing. Whether the goal is to potentially reduce a monthly payment or pay off a mortgage sooner, Tom works to understand what the borrower wants to accomplish and help identify appropriate options.
Connected to the Bloomington-Normal Community
Tom has maintained strong ties to Bloomington-Normal throughout his life. He remains active in fundraising efforts for both Central Catholic High School and Illinois Wesleyan University and has participated in the IWU Associates program.
๏ปฟHis local connection is an important part of who he is, but his lending capabilities extend far beyond Central Illinois. Tom is licensed to lend in all 50 states, allowing him to assist borrowers in a variety of markets.
