Atlantic Bay Named a 2026 Hampton Roads Top Workplace

For the fourth year in a row, Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group® has been named a Top Workplace in Hampton Roads, and this year the recognition comes with a number we're pretty proud of: a 92% Workplace Experience Score, up seven points from last year.

That score comes straight from our employees. Every year, Energage surveys the team and asks the real questions, the ones that actually tell you what it's like to work somewhere. Do you feel appreciated? Does your manager help you grow? Do you believe in where the company is headed? This year, two out of every three employees took the time to answer, and responders left nearly 950 comments along the way.

What “Top Workplace” Means

The Top Workplaces recognition isn't something a company applies for or buys its way into. It's administered by Energage, a research firm that partners with local media, in our region that's Inside Business (The Hampton Roads Business Journal), to survey employees anonymously across dozens of organizations. Companies don't get a say in the questions or the scoring. Employees answer honestly about things like whether they feel appreciated, whether their manager helps them grow, and whether they believe in the direction of the company, and the results speak for themselves. This year, only 29 organizations with 300 or more employees in Hampton Roads earned the distinction.

What Moved the Needle?

Every theme in the survey went up this year, but a couple stood out. "Engaged" climbed 10 points and "Fairly Valued" climbed 9, which tells us people aren't just showing up, they feel like their work matters and that it's recognized. "Closely Aligned," "Respected & Supported," "Empowered to Execute" and "Enabled to Grow" all rose too. When you compare our results to every other participating organization in Hampton Roads, Atlantic Bay comes out ahead across the board.

And, by the way, none of that happens by accident. It's the product of managers who actually check in, leadership that's accessible instead of distant, and a culture that gives people room to learn, take on more, and build a career instead of just holding a job.

“…a feeling employees experience every day.”

"A great workplace isn't something you can claim; it's something your people have to experience every day," shared Brian Holland, our CEO. "This recognition means a lot because it comes directly from our team. It reinforces that we continue to foster the kind of culture where people feel supported, challenged, and genuinely enjoy coming to work.”

To receive this recognition in the community where Atlantic Bay was founded makes it even more meaningful.

“Our people are truly the difference. They're what make Atlantic Bay the special place it continues to be."

That last part matters. Atlantic Bay has called Hampton Roads home since 1996, so this is where our story started. Being named a Top Workplace in the same community where we opened our doors almost 30 years ago is the kind of full-circle moment that doesn't happen for too many others in this industry.

Built On the Same Idea Since Day One

Atlantic Bay was founded on the belief that when you invest in people, everything else follows; better outcomes for customers, stronger communities, a company people actually want to build a career at. We call it lending peace of mind, and it shows up in how we treat our own team just as much as how we treat our borrowers.

That means real opportunities to grow, leaders who are easy to reach, and a culture built around collaboration instead of competition. It also means giving back. Through AB Cares Foundation, our nonprofit foundation, Atlantic Bay supports organizations that are making a meaningful difference in the communities we call home. From paid volunteer hours for employees to partnerships with organizations like Roc Solid Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Virginia, AB Cares helps turn our value of genuinely caring into action.

Still (Always) Growing… Right Where We Started

Headquartered in Virginia Beach with branches across Chesapeake, Yorktown, Gloucester and Fredericksburg, as well as states across the East Coast, Atlantic Bay continues to grow while staying rooted in the region that shaped us. Four consecutive years on the Hampton Roads Top Workplaces list is a milestone we don't take lightly, and it's one we plan to build on.

If a workplace where people feel genuinely valued sounds like somewhere you'd want to grow, we're always looking for people who want to be part of it.