St. Mary’s Bank, the nation’s first credit union, was recently recognized by New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority as one of its top participating lenders for 2014. St. Mary’s Bank closed a significant number of loans to low- and moderate-income first-time home buyers over the past year. “St. Mary’s Bank is honored to be recognized as a leader in providing affordable financing to first-time home buyers,” said Karen Mayrand, St. Mary’s Bank Director of Residential Lending. “We understand the financial challenges facing first-time homebuyers. Our cooperation with organizations like New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority enables us to help more area families achieve their goal of homeownership.” The Mortgage Center at St. Mary’s Bank participates in the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority’s Home Flex and Home Flex Plus programs. These programs provide low and moderate-income persons with affordable mortgage financing with low fixed interest rates, low down payment requirements and cash assistance grants to help borrowers with down payment and closing costs. Many two to four family homes are eligible under the program, as are manufactured homes (if on their own land or in an approved manufactured housing cooperative). To qualify for the program, borrowers must meet certain income limits.