LendingTree Buys HomeLoanCenter.com

Online mortgage finder LendingTree has agreed to buy Internet-based direct mortgage lender HomeLoanCenter.com of Irvine. Terms weren’t disclosed.

The transaction, which is expected to close by year’s end, would expand LendingTree’s operations beyond its core business of matching consumers with lenders into direct lending.

Privately held HomeLoanCenter.com employs about 800. Charlotte, N.C.-based LendingTree is a division of IAC/Interactive Corp. IAC shares fell 55 cents to $22.19 on Nasdaq.

Annette Haddad