As some parts of the U.S. economy faced their darkest days, several nonbank lenders decided 2020 was the year to go public. It was the first time in more than a decade that lenders sought to take advantage of investor interest in the sector, which is having one of the best, if not the best, year for mortgage originations ever.

National Mortgage News takes a look back at the companies that considered going public or did so during the year, either through an initial public offering or merging with a special-purpose acquisition company.