Spotlight

Jessica Greving

/ ibaeducation

How did you get involved in the mortgage industry?
My father has been in the business since I was a young girl – I worked in the business while I attended The University of Iowa and well, I got hooked!

What is the biggest challenge or opportunity you have seen in the mortgage industry?
The biggest challenge is getting the right information out to customers about loan programs – fixed vs. ARM – VA vs. Conventional etc. Not all lenders support all programs and borrowers are often fed information that isn’t quite accurate. My passion is educating borrowers with the right information, which is also an opportunity.

What advice would you give people just entering the industry?
Make friends within in the business – you will need them!

When you are not at work, what do you like to do most?
I love to spend time with my family, which includes following our four girls to their various activities or relaxing at our lake house.

What is a quote or a guiding principle you live by?
Work hard every day.

Ashlee Cooper

/ ibaeducation

How did you get involved in the mortgage industry?
I was the top performer in our consumer lending department three years ago and was asked to take a mortgage position as soon as one vacated. I fell in love with the industry, and never looked back!

What is the biggest challenge or opportunity you have seen in the mortgage industry?
The biggest opportunity is getting to work with First Time Home Buyers, it’s truly a “feel good” experience and I enjoy every moment of it.

What advice would you give people just entering the industry?
Do NOT get discouraged; connections will come, keep networking and building your professional resume/profile. It can take time to build your pipeline but once you show your dedication and expertise you will see your business grow exponentially.

Do you have a quick tip for saving time, generating leads, tracking information, etc. that you would like to share?
Create folders in your email for every application; your memory is NOT as great as you think it is. Also utilize folders to keep track of leads and monitor them every 30-days to stay top of mind. Provide weekly updates to realtors / all parties involved in a purchase transaction to make sure you keep lines of communication open and NEVER miss a contingency date.

When you are not at work, what do you like to do most?
Not at work—when is that?! I enjoy being active, I play softball and volleyball as much as I can in my free time and enjoy spending time with my husband, Tucker, and mini golden doodle, Carlos.

What is a quote or a guiding principle you live by?
Never let the fear of striking out stop you from swinging.

Brenda Hanover

/ ibaeducation

How did you get involved in the mortgage industry?
When 9/11 hit and the interest rates plummeted, I was moved from the Bank’s agriculture & commercial department to just “assist” the real estate department with their heavy workload.  Sixteen-years later, I am still in the Bank’s real estate department, of which I am now the head of the department.

What is the biggest challenge or opportunity you have seen in the mortgage industry?
Going from the mortgage regulations that “used-to-be” to the TRID regulations and timeframes.

What advice would you give people just entering the industry?
Go for it!  Trust your abilities; work hard and be honest.  Never a dull moment.  Your job is enjoyable to help people with one of their biggest assets.

 Do you have a quick tip for saving time, generating leads, tracking information, etc. that you would like to share?
Saving Time – I would say to use DocuSign (eliminates some of those TRID timeframes).  Leads – Do your job well, be passionate about it and enjoy it daily.  Your customers sense that and their word-of-mouth recommendations are the best leads you can receive.

 When you are not at work, what do you like to do most?
Enjoying family & friends; being outdoors & vacations.  In the summer, being at Okoboji boating.  In the fall, farming with my husband.

 What is a quote or a guiding principle you live by?
All things are possible to those who believe!  This verse speaks to me at work, at home and in my family life.

 

 

Scott Brekke

/ ibaeducation

How did you get involved in the mortgage industry?
My first and only job in the mortgage industry has been that of an originator.  I have been with the same bank my whole career and love every minute of what I do.

What is the biggest challenge or opportunity you have seen in the mortgage industry?
One big challenge is trying to balance all the changing regulations and requirements without making the customer feel that they are giving you every piece of their life story.

What advice would you give people just entering the industry?
Read about your products.  Learn as much as you can about each program.  You can make yourself stand out of a crowd if you have knowledge to back it up

Do you have a quick tip for saving time, generating leads, tracking information, etc. that you would like to share?
Use your calendar, send thank you cards, and follow up

When you are not at work, what do you like to do most?
Golf, coaching my kids in sports, spending time in Okoboji, just relax

What is a quote or a guiding principle you live by?
Take time to enjoy the special moments in your life when they happen.  They go by too fast.

Steve Rouse

/ ibaeducation

How did you get involved in the mortgage industry?
I began my career 25 years ago as a loan officer for a small bank in St. Louis, Heartland Savings Bank. They hired me into their Management Training program right out of college. When I got to the mortgage department, it just clicked. And the rest is history.

What is the biggest challenge or opportunity you have seen in the mortgage industry?
Making sure you do business with the right kind of people – people you like, have integrity and value relationships.

What advice would you give people just entering the industry?
Learn all you can about the mortgage transaction.  Be a sponge absorbing information from every side – originations, processing, underwriting, closing and servicing – you never know where you might land within the industry.

Do you have a quick tip for saving time, generating leads, tracking information, etc. that you would like to share?
Find two hours every day to shut down email and social media. Make phone calls during that time. In this day of electronic communication, people still like to have conversations.

When you are not at work, what do you like to do most?
Spend time having fun with my family – Julie and our three boys.  And if time allows, ride my Harley and play some golf.

What is a quote or a guiding principle you live by?
For all you do, this Bud’s for you!