Jessica Celia is the branch manager at loanDepot, where she has established herself as a dedicated professional in the mortgage lending industry. She joined loanDepot’s retail division in January 2017, embarking on a journey to acquire comprehensive knowledge of mortgage lending practices. Her primary goal has been to provide exceptional service to customers seeking to purchase or refinance their homes.
Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Bridgewater State University. Her commitment to learning and personal growth led her to pursue a Masters of Business Administration from Curry College, further enhancing her skill set.
Throughout her career at loanDepot, Jessica has consistently adhered to a customer-centric approach, valuing each customer interaction as an opportunity to deliver top-notch service. She firmly believes in treating clients with the same level of respect and care that she would expect herself. This dedication to customer satisfaction has been a driving force behind her success.
Jessica’s exceptional performance at loanDepot quickly propelled her into roles of increasing responsibility. She first advanced to the position of Sales Manager and subsequently achieved the esteemed status of Chairman’s Elite within loanDepot—an impressive recognition of her outstanding contributions.
In her current role as Branch Manager, Jessica Celia continues to excel, not only overseeing her team but also leading by example. She is enthusiastic about expanding her team and is supported by two Production Assistants, Amanda Finn and Angela Compston. Jessica’s commitment to excellence, combined with her passion for customer service, positions her as a respected leader in the mortgage lending industry.
Below are highlights of the interview:
How long have you been working in the mortgage lending industry?
Since January 23, 2017
What motivated you to pursue a career in mortgage lending?
The ability to never miss my kids sporting or school events. We may work endless hours and are always on the clock, but I can do it from a soccer field or a school play, so I don’t have to choose between being a good mom or pursuing a high-level career.
What are your key responsibilities as the Branch Manager at loanDepot?
Ensuring all members of my branch can run efficiently and effectively while focusing on growth and goals. We work together to support and motivate each other, especially in a challenging year like this one.
How do you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the mortgage industry?
We find it extremely important to spend 30 minutes to an hour on education and read updated guidelines daily. Following experts in our field, such as Barry Habib, is also part of our daily route. Knowing how to overcome challenges and build a file around a circle is really our specialty.
What strategies do you employ to ensure effective communication and collaboration within your team?
There is always open dialogue in our team. We speak daily and set goals with clear intentions. This will ensure we are on the same page, not working on the same task, and are allocating workloads appropriately.
Can you tell us about a challenging project or situation you faced in your role and how you successfully overcame it?
I feel like every day is a new challenge. Our job is to ensure that people and their families have a place to lay their heads at night. There is always a surprise, but navigating through those successfully with little stress added to our clients plates is something we work on daily. We love the client who calls and says, “I was denied by five lenders before you. Then we step in and approve them and make a closing 11 days away (truth on a few occasions).
What are the most important qualities you look for in potential mortgage lending professionals when hiring for your team?
Drive… Mortgages can be taught, but you cannot teach someone to have drive and self-motivation, so their feet hit the ground running when they wake up in the morning. If they don’t have a why…they do not fit our mold.
How do you approach risk management and compliance in the mortgage lending process?
We are one of the most regulated industries in the country. We follow guidelines and documents.
In your opinion, what are the current challenges and opportunities in the mortgage lending industry?
Ignoring the noise This year, there is not much outside noise negatively impacting our business, such as inflation, interest rates,
Can you share a notable achievement or milestone you have accomplished during your career in mortgage lending?
The biggest achievement in my lending career has been the ability to bring on family and friends to work on my team. We have such a beautiful dynamic and have reached greater levels of success because we do not want to let each other down and love watching each other win!
Please Visit: https://www.loandepot.com/loan-officers/jcelia
