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Support of their local communities has long been a focus of community lenders. Credit unions and community banks across the country are known for their reinvestment into the towns and cities they serve. Charitable giving can take a variety of forms – many times focused on causes and organizations unique to each area of the country. Especially during these difficult times surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, support of these local organizations and charities is of the utmost importance. This fact has not been lost on credit unions and community banks, and many have stepped-up remarkably in this support during these challenging times. 

When 2020 started, we were not aware that phrases like “new normal” and “unprecedented” would become the vernacular of business professionals across America. After a short while, it got to the point where those phrases would be muttered with a semblance of sarcasm at the start of each virtual meeting or phone call. Towards the end of the year, I could feel a sense of hope that 2021 would be a new year, where things would end up going back to the “old normal” in some capacity.

I am a big believer in purpose. Everything goes better when there is a purpose behind it, and the doing of it brings meaningful purpose to the people involved. When people believe they are involved in something meaningful to them, they put more effort into it. They tune in and lock on. I had to learn about purpose in my own industry.

Mortgage originations, whether new home purchases or refinances, have been booming over the last several months. The latest projections from Freddie Mac have $3.6 trillion for 2020, and 2021 is expected to produce $2.6 trillion. With all these purchases and refinances, why is now a good time to revisit your home equity program?

Insurance Salesman. Now that’s probably not exactly what my parents had in mind for me as they sent me off to college many years ago. After over 30 years in the financial services industry, I didn’t see this type of career coming either! A “sales” position in general carries a certain stigma with it. As a lending institution that has relationships with numerous vendors, do you think of your insurance agent and agency as just another vendor or a trusted business partner?