When Brad went to Mississippi State University, he thought he wanted to be an engineer. “I figured out pretty quickly that engineering wasn’t what I wanted to do,” he laughs. “Instead, I went through the syllabus and saw real estate and mortgage finance. That sounded interesting to me, so that’s the route I took.”

 

Raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Brad attended first through tenth grade in Biloxi and his junior and senior years in Ocean Springs. He met his wife in college, and when she was accepted into physical therapy school in Jackson, the couple moved, and Brad attended Belhaven where he earned his master’s degree.

 

Brad and his wife moved to the Gulf Coast after they both finished school in Jackson. Brad spent seven years working in the mortgage business until Hurricane Katrina blew them back to Jackson fifteen years ago. While living on the Coast, Brad was a member of the Association of Realtors® in Biloxi and Ocean Springs. At the annual event in Biloxi, Brad won Affiliate of the Year for his work in the mortgage industry.

 

Brad has been in the mortgage business for 31 years, 15 of those with Cadence Bank. As producing manager at Cadence, Brad works to produce mortgages and to manage a team. “I took over as area manager nine years ago, and I have a great team. We have eleven officers and me, located all along the I-55 corridor, he says. “I’m so fortunate to have an experienced team,” Brad says. “Most of our loan officers have been doing this for fifteen to 35 years. Our two youngest officers have already been doing this kind of work for ten years. Everyone has different ways of getting business, but mostly we count on our strong relationships with Realtors® and builders.”

 

At Cadence, the loan officers mirror their clientele. “For example,” says Brad, “we have a lender from El Salvador. Valeria Knowles graduated from Clinton High School and speaks fluent English and Spanish.” Valeria has been in the mortgage business for ten years and prides herself on smooth closings.

 

Ternisha Bass-Jordan is also in Clinton. “Cadence Bank provides a professional, innovative and resourceful workspace for me. I strive to provide education, hard work, integrity and compassion to every detail of the mortgage loan transaction.”

 

Connie Stacy rounds out the Clinton crew. “I have a total of 25 years in the business, but Cadence Bank has been my home for mortgage lending for the last 14 years. We have a great support team to create a quick, smooth loan process. I want to thank my Realtor® referral partners for their support over the years to allow me to be a top producer for Cadence Bank.”

 

Janice Shumaker is a loan officer in Brandon, and she listens to specific situations and works to customize a loan that will fit her clients’ needs. “We have an option for most every customer’s situation.”

 

Lisa Jenkins is in Flowood and says she doesn’t know anything else but the mortgage business. “I’ve been in it for 34 years, and I love my job! I am passionate about helping first-time homebuyers to understand the total purchase process. I make sure there are no surprises.”

 

The Madison branches are covered by Dianna Bullock and Greg Shows. “Cadence is a great place to work, and our team has a lot of experience,” says Dianna, who has 29 years in the business. Greg says he moved to Cadence Bank a year and a half ago due to the loan products, support and technology they are able to provide to Realtors® and their clients. “I am grateful to all my Realtor® partners for continuing to trust me with their customers.”

 

Matt Wilson holds down the Ridgeland office. “At the start of the downturn in the market, Cadence Bank pivoted and was able to offer excellent creative loan products to our clients,” says Matt. “That is just one of the many ways Cadence is providing to our local market to meet our community’s housing needs.”

 

In Jackson, Shanika Battle and Michael Williams love their Realtor® partners. Both Shanika and Michael enjoy helping clients understand and achieve home ownership, and they have a passion to help all borrowers, no matter what their current situation.

 

Jacob Keith is also a loan officer in Jackson. “Cadence has a great mix of that will fit most customers’ needs. I use my knowledge to place each borrower with the correct loan product, creating a smooth home-buying experience.”

 

Brad is also based in Jackson. He has been in the mortgage business for 31 years, fifteen of those with Cadence Bank. “I have enjoyed the great products and support, as well as the pricing and superior technology. “The culture here is wonderful. We get great support from the Bank.” Brad says he is impressed with the loan products Cadence Bank offers, including good ARM products.

 

Brad also says Cadence is competitive. “We don’t have overlays; we go off Fannie Mae guidelines. Cadence also offers in-house portfolio loans that meet the needs of all borrowers, no matter their income level.”

 

Much of Brad’s business is from repeat customers. “I am doing loans for a second generation. Many of the people I do mortgages for are people I’ve known for thirty years through the Chamber, Rotary, and church. It’s the same with all our loan officers. We all live where we work, and we are active in our community.” Cadence Bank is active in both the Realtors® Association and the Homebuilder Association. “Developing and maintaining good relationships with Realtors® and builders helps homebuyers in the long run.”

 

An aspect of Cadence Bank that customers appreciate is that the Bank services most of the mortgages they do loans on. “Customers can walk into any branch and pay their mortgage, and they can contact us directly if they need to,” says Brad.  “Anyone doing business with Cadence Bank can expect a knowledgeable staff and exceptional service.”