Keith Stayer is the vice president and branch manager for Synovus Mortgage, which is affiliated with Synovus Bank of Jacksonville on the Southside.
is this a NEW COMPANY?
Not exactly. Synovus Bank has been in Jacksonville for about a year and a half. Synovus Mortgage is headquartered in Birmingham, Ala.
“Synovus Bank had a mortgage department prior to me, but there were some changes and now we are restarting it and looking for new people. I was basically hired in June to restart the mortgage division.”
WHAT DOES HE DO?
“I oversee mortgage production generated from the bank and our Realtor base and builder business. I am also responsible for some personal production. I am recruiting loan officers now, bring on marketing assistants and help generate personal production through the Realtors, builders and the bank.”
HOW BIG DO YOU WANT THE LOCATION TO GET?
Stayer is looking to hire two new loan officers by the end of the year and depending on production, Synovus will expand from there. He currently has one marketing assistant, Linda Gedney, in his office and a loan officer, John Springer, in Fernandina Beach. “I have sales responsibility for First Coast Community Bank in Fernandina Beach, which has a Synovus Mortgage presence in that branch.”
OTHER LOCATIONS?
Synovus Bank is opening another branch on the Southbank and it is looking for more branch locations throughout the city. “There will be a mortgage presence within the bank.”
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO DRUM UP BUSINESS?
He is attending various Realtor and builder meetings and events to get the name out and generate some awareness.
HOW DID HE GET HIS START IN BANKING?
Out of college, he went to work for Merrill Lynch Credit Corp. for 11 years. He worked his way up and became a vice president/product manager. Before Synovus, he worked at NetBank Inc. as sales manager for four years.
COLLEGE?
He has a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from University of Florida.
HOW DOES YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP?
“One of the great things about Merrill Lynch Credit Corp. is that you learn about customer service, quality, leadership, operations, sales and marketing. I’ve worked in various roles in operation, processing side, commercial lending, product management and product development so I have a broad background in mortgage banking field that helps me help loan officers.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LENDING?
“Providing financial solutions for customers, getting them in their first home or helping them find the best product that fits their needs.”
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED FROM A CO-WORKER?
“Always keep your sense of humor and don’t take yourself too seriously.”
ADVICE FOR NEW LOAN OFFICER?
“Study the industry and be a resource for your customers more than just providing a sales pitch.”
ADVICE FOR REALTORS WHEN DEALING WITH LOAN OFFICERS?
Stayer said it is all about open communication and relationship building. “We all want the same thing. We want to get the customer in a home as quickly as possible with no surprises.”
PET PEEVES?
“Poor customer service and non-returned phone calls. Do what you say you are going to do. If you say you are going to show up for a meeting, then show up.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“Make sure you work with customers to obtain all the information up front regarding the mortgage transaction such as all the important documentation so you don’t have to continue to go back and ask for more information.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Stayer is the chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Jacksonville’s Board of Directors and is a past president. He also is involved in the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and the Northeast Florida Builders Association and its Sales and Marketing Council.
HOMETOWN?
Vero Beach, but he moved to Jacksonville in 1989 after college.
RESIDES
Mandarin.
— by Michele Newbern Gillis