2023
Branch Manager and Senior Loan Officer
INTERNATIONAL
An offer to get into residential lending was just the ticket for this branch manager
Education: BA in Economics from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota Company Name: New American Funding Industry: Real Estate Lending Company CEO: Rick and Patty Arvielo Company Headquarters Location: Tustin, CA Number of Employees: 3,670 diverse team members, comprised of 54% women; 41% minorities, including 21% who are Hispanic; and 37% Millennials. Your Location: Inglewood, CA Words you live by: Treat others the the same way I want to be treated Who is your personal hero? My brother who would drop anything to care for his sister What book are you reading? For 2023 I have started each day reading Sarah Young’s daily devotion. I devote 30 to 45 minutes each day to me. What was your first job? High school job with the American Diabetes Association. Favorite charity: Breast Cancer Society Interests/Hobbies: Bowling, acting, and teaching homebuyer workshops for nonprofit agencies
The one consistency in my 30+ years of Real Estate lending is change. Guidelines and programs have constantly changed. Even though I am providing the same services to each client, each file is unique. There are faces behind those files. I have laughed and cried with clients throughout the years. Many have become personal friends where I have attended several of their family events. I am now servicing many of their children, friends and family. I can’t describe the feeling when you are able to assist someone who believed they could never own a home. If someone wants to be a homeowner, they should be put on a path to accomplish that dream. The one trait I consider essential to my success is listening. You must listen to understand your client’s needs in order to execute their desires. If you don’t know an answer, it is okay to say “let me find out and get back to you.” The best advise that has been given to me is to treat others the same way that I want to be treated and to be truthful and never give up on your journey to success. I started my professional career through an internship program while in college. During summer and winter breaks, I was a bank teller. After graduating from college, I was able to participate in a wholesale training program with a major California Financial Institution. While my training was in commercial lending, I was approached by a major Retail Bank asking me to join their team in Residential Lending. I knew nothing about Residential Lending. In looking back, I realized that offer was to fulfil a minority position. Nevertheless, that opportunity has led me to having a successful career. I took the leap and have been in residential lending for the past 30 years and have had a blast. It is extremely important that we give back. I enjoy mentoring the next generation of loan officers. In fact one of my newest mentees is my daughter who is learning the real estate industry. It is vital to lay a path so that those who come behind us will have direction and support. To summarize, my career path has been one for the ages, a path that I would not change. It’s been exciting and rewarding and I look forward to helping future Real Estate Professionals achieve success in the industry. Yes, I believe in passing blessings on!
Family: I have been married for 41 years and have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.
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2023 Fourth Quarter
www.diversityjournal.com
AWARD
Brenda Robinson