What Is a Wholesale HEI Program? What Mortgage Brokers Need to Know

Over the past year, HEI providers have begun opening wholesale channels — programs that allow licensed mortgage brokers to offer home equity investments alongside HELOCs, closed-end seconds, and cash-out refinances. For brokers searching for what a wholesale HEI program actually is, how it works, and where it fits on a product board, this guide covers the fundamentals.

First, what is an HEI?

A home equity investment, or HEI, is an agreement in which a homeowner receives a lump sum today in exchange for a share of the home’s future value, paid at settlement. It is not a loan. There is no interest rate, and no new monthly payment is added to the household’s obligations. The homeowner retains title and ownership of the home and continues to live in and maintain it. Settlement occurs upon events such as the sale of the home, the death of the homeowner, or a permanent move-out.

Because an HEI is an investment agreement rather than credit, the underwriting emphasis differs from mortgage lending. That distinction is what makes the structure relevant to brokers: it can be evaluated for homeowners whose equity position is strong but whose income profile does not fit debt-to-income underwriting — a combination that describes a growing share of the market.

However, like a mortgage borrower, homeowners in an HEI remain responsible for property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and any existing mortgage payments, and certain actions such as selling, transferring, or refinancing the home are subject to contractual conditions.

What “wholesale” means in the HEI context

In mortgage lending, wholesale means a licensed broker originates the client relationship while the wholesale provider underwrites, funds, and services the product. A wholesale HEI program applies the same division of labor to home equity investments. The broker identifies the homeowner, submits the file through the provider’s platform, and is compensated by the provider; the HEI company handles underwriting, documentation, funding, and the investment itself.

For brokers, the practical questions are the familiar ones: how files are submitted, how underwriting support works, how compensation is structured, and where the program is available.
Why HEI wholesale is emerging now

Two forces are converging. On the supply side, homeowners aged 62 and older hold a record $14.92 trillion in home equity as of the first quarter of 2026, according to the NRMLA/RiskSpan Reverse Mortgage Market Index — wealth built increasingly through decades of amortization rather than recent price appreciation. On the demand side, a meaningful segment of those homeowners cannot access that equity through traditional channels. Income-based underwriting works against retirees on fixed incomes, self-employed borrowers with uneven cash flow, and households that simply do not want a new monthly obligation late in life.

Brokers see these files regularly: substantial equity, clean payment history, and a debt-to-income calculation that will not support a HELOC or closed-end second. Historically the conversation ended there. A wholesale HEI program gives brokers a structure to evaluate for that client rather than a declination letter.

Where an HEI may fit on a broker’s product board

An HEI is not a replacement for debt products; it is a different instrument with different economics. In practice, brokers may evaluate an HEI in scenarios such as a retiree with significant equity who does not qualify for income-based underwriting, a homeowner who wants liquidity without adding a monthly payment, a household seeking to fund a financial strategy — insurance premiums, long-term care planning, tax obligations — without drawing down portfolios, or a client for whom preserving monthly cash flow matters more than preserving every point of future appreciation.

The trade-off is real and should be presented plainly: the homeowner exchanges a share of the home’s future value for liquidity today. For some households, that trade is worth making; for others it is not. The broker’s role, as with any product, is to understand the structure well enough to present it accurately.
What to look for in a wholesale HEI program

Not all wholesale programs are built the same way. Brokers evaluating a program may want to consider whether the provider offers a dedicated submission platform, direct underwriting support, transparent compensation paid by the provider rather than the homeowner, clear state availability, and documentation that explains the product’s conditions — including settlement events and homeowner responsibilities — in plain language.

An example: Prime HEI℠

Prime HEI℠, launched by Cornerstone Financing in late 2025, is one example of a wholesale HEI program. It enables licensed mortgage brokers to offer CHEIFS®, Cornerstone’s home equity investment, as an alternative to HELOCs and closed-end seconds. Approved brokers submit files through a digital portal at PrimeHEI.com, receive dedicated underwriting support, and are compensated directly by Cornerstone. The program launched in Arizona and California and is now available wherever CHEIFS operates, in 22 states, serving qualified mass-affluent homeowners.

CHEIFS originally launched as an advisor-focused planning solution; demand from the mortgage community led Cornerstone to build the wholesale channel. That history matters to brokers, because the product was designed around planning use cases — retirement income, insurance funding, liquidity strategy — rather than as a debt substitute, which shapes how files are evaluated.

Frequently asked questions

• Is an HEI a loan? No. An HEI is a home equity investment agreement. There is no interest rate and no new monthly payment. The provider receives a share of the home’s future value at settlement.

• Is an HEI a reverse mortgage? No. A reverse mortgage is a loan against the home with a growing balance. An HEI is an investment agreement with settlement at events such as sale, death, or permanent move-out.

• How are brokers compensated in a wholesale HEI program? Structures vary by provider. In some programs, including Prime HEI, compensation is paid directly by the provider.

• Do homeowners keep ownership of their home? Yes — homeowners retain title and ownership and continue to live in and maintain the home. Sale, transfer, or refinance of the home are subject to contractual conditions.

• What does a homeowner remain responsible for? Property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and any existing mortgage payments.

Disclosures

This article is for informational and marketing purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Homeowners should consult with independent, licensed financial, tax, and legal professionals for advice. CHEIFS may involve risks, fees, costs, contractual obligations, and other material considerations not appropriate for all homeowners. Homeowners and their independent advisors should carefully evaluate all available options against the homeowner’s individual financial situation, goals, and overall financial and tax strategy.

CHEIFS is a home equity investment agreement (or “HEI”), not a loan. This is not an offer or commitment. CHEIFS is subject to underwriting and approval, including property appraisal(s) and verification of credit history, property condition, title, and property insurance, among other things. Performance of the CHEIFS agreement is secured by a mortgage or trust deed, depending on the state, in no lower than second lien priority. The equity share return becomes payable upon a settlement event and is calculated as a percentage of the home’s future value, subject to the program’s cost cap. Homeowner pays an origination fee plus appraisal, title, recording fees, and other closing costs. Homeowner must occupy and maintain the property and remain current on property insurance, taxes and assessments, and payments on any other mortgages. Terms may vary and are subject to change. Additional conditions apply. Not available in all states.

Cornerstone does not offer HEI products or solicit business related to properties located in the states of NY, MN, and certain other states. Please visit cheifs.com/licensing for a list of states where CHEIFS is offered. CHEIFS is offered exclusively by Cornerstone Financing LLC, and its subsidiary Domus Funding Corp. (in California only), and does business as “Domus Funding LLC” in OH and as “Domus Funding” in NH. Principal Office: 86 Summit Ave., Ste. 201, Summit, NJ 07901. Toll-free (855) 462-4343. NMLS #2557707, www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. CA DRE license #02248492. Not licensed in all states. Cornerstone’s HEI product is not offered under state mortgage lending licenses.

© 2026 Cornerstone Financing LLC. “CHEIFS” is a registered service mark, and the CHEIFS logo is a service mark, of Cornerstone Financing LLC. All rights reserved.