EXECUTIVE AG E N T M AG AZ I N E
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Written by H. K. Wilson
Anna Ruotolo Branch Manager
ment. She chose Finance of America Mortgage not only for its industry-leading trifecta of price, product and service, but for something more. “The other thing that’s hard to find is that this company offers a lot of autonomy. We don’t manage from the lowest common denominator, and I am allowed to run my branch without micromanagement as long as I remain compliant with regulation. That was important to me, and I have been able to grow my branch and personal production with all of the support the company has to offer.”
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nna Ruotolo, branch manager at Finance of America Mortgage in Danville, has the know-how to make the complex process of obtaining home financing a simple one. With more than 30 years of industry experience spanning operations, sales and executive management, Anna understands how to overcome obstacles and turn prospective homebuyers into happy homeowners.
As a leader, Anna provides the same flexibility to her team, while offering informed guidance and support. “I look for people who have character and can operate as part of a team. We don’t consider ourselves transactional, but advisory and relational. I make sure someone who joins us also thinks and acts in that way. As a manager, I am there whenever they need me, but also give people the freedom and flexibility to run their own businesses. We do a lot here as a team to support one another and help each other grow our businesses and connect with new agents. I lead by engaging with them and doing the same things I ask them to do.” A team marketing manager is also on hand to help loan advisors make the most of the company’s many resources.
Anna recently returned from Finance of America Mortgage’s annual Sales Rally in Phoenix, Arizona. The company’s key word for 2022 is “pivot.” She explains, “It’s not just about changing direction, but about stretching yourself, as a lot of us have been recently. It’s about changing your mental state to focus on relationships versus transactions; creating value versus sales; opportunities versus challenges.” One of the company’s strengths is innovating its program offerings to meet the changing needs of borrowers. “Our offerings are so expansive,” Anna says. “We have something for everybody. For first-time buyers, we have
a wide range of down payment assistance programs, and we offer 3% down on Fannie and Freddie loans. For self-employed borrowers, we have a 1099 program, a P&L program and an asset program. Finance of America Mortgage is also one of the largest reverse mortgage lenders, so we can help those elderly borrowers who want to supplement their social security income with their home equity. And for investors, our commercial division has programs for fix-and-flips or multiple units. This also gives our originators the opportunity to choose a niche if they want to. Personally, I love working with first-time buyers and the satisfaction that comes with that.”
Staff members from left to right: Barbara Jaye, Christina Villasenor, Kimmie McCreary, Yasi Nikkhah
Anna entered the mortgage industry just after high school, when she took a job as a receptionist at a small mortgage company. “The owner taught me everything, and within a week, I wasn’t just the receptionist, but I was also working on files,” she recalls. Anna remained at the firm while she attended college, and although her original goal was to go to law school, she soon realized that home lending offered the excitement, intellectual challenge and opportunity she was looking for. “I saw the flexibility and potential it offered, and not just financial reward, but the intrinsic reward of helping people. I decided to stay because I already loved it, and it has been a blessing.” After years in executive leadership, Anna decided she was ready to return to local loan origination and manageExecutive Agent Magazine
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