Penda Tyson is a mortgage banking leader with Wachovia.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
“I am producing manager which means I have five loan officers that report to me and I also produce myself.”
HOW LONG THERE?
She has been with company for seven years between First Union and Wachovia. “I am also actively recruiting loan officers.”
BEFORE THERE?
She was in college. Tyson has a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Florida.
HOW DID SHE GET INTO MORTGAGES?
She attended a job fair and started out with First Union processing loans.
She worked her way up through the company in various positions before jumping to the sales side where she is now. “I don’t think I could ever do another nine-to-five desk job. It’s very challenging and you meet a lot of people. It’s rewarding when you get that first time homebuyer in their new home.”
DID PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP IN YOUR POSITION?
“Yes, I don’t know that I would be successful without it. I sell my service. I don’t always consider myself a sales person. People have a need and I’m here to fulfill that need and get them the best program. With my mortgage background, I’m able to put people in the right program. I can get a loan closed in two weeks, just because I know what is needed.”
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED FROM A CO-WORKER?
Tyson, who just turned 30, said “Don’t doubt my knowledge and let my age make me feel like I am incapable of doing things.”
LIKE ABOUT LENDING?
Tyson said knowing the history of lending and knowing that someone who has no established traditional credit, with $500 can get into a home. “We know home ownership strengthens the community. It’s so important to own a home. That is what keeps me interested in lending.”
CUSTOMERS?
Realtors, builders and customers who come into the bank looking for a loan.
AREA SHE
FOCUSES ON?
She supports the Arlington and St. Johns Bluff branch offices. “As far as Realtor and builder business, I’m all over.”
ADVICE FOR REALTORS WHEN DEALING WITH LOAN OFFICERS?
“To remember that it is a partnership. The goal is to get the customer in a home. It really is a partnership, not one against the other.”
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET CLOSER TO REALTORS AND BUILDERS?
“Relationships. Go to social events that they go to and get to know them as people. Affiliate yourself with outside work activities that they are involved in.”
HOW ARE REALTORS AND BUILDERS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
“They feed you. Even though I get business from people walking in our branch office that are not builder- and Realtor-referred, the Realtors are important because they can help that borrower find that right home. The builders are important because if the customer wants a new home built, it will be the builder who walks them through that process.”
PET PEEVES?
“Because of my background, I tend to do a lot of hand-holding with my customers. The pet peeve is that they don’t want to deal with anyone else including the processor. I spend a lot of my time doing the little things that the processor should be doing. Another pet peeve is when I am doing a function with another lender for home ownership, it shouldn’t always be about the competition.”
ADVICE FOR NEW LOAN OFFICERS?
“Read as much as you can about business and how to conduct yourself professionally and become organized because that will come out when you are meeting with people. It’s not always about your knowledge, but more about how you conduct yourself. Because if you don’t know an answer, you can find it as long as you are organized and know your resources. Start out the gate anxious, but not like the story of the tortoise and the hare, where you poop yourself out. Be consistent. Be steady. Start with an action plan, be consistent and work that action plan.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Jacksonville Women’s Council of Realtors and the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors.
LESSONS LEARNED?
“I can’t please everyone. There are going to be situations that are out of my control, but as much as you try, people are not going to think you did everything that you could for them.”
HOMETOWN?
Hartford, Conn.
RESIDES
Northside, but will move to the Westside later this year.
PERSONAL SIDE?
She has been married to Robert for eight years. They have two children, Micayla, 6 and Mallory, 2. When she is not working, she enjoys reading books. A movie she enjoyed and would recommend is “Finding Nemo.”
Books that she recommends are “Fish,” “Fish!Sticks!” and “Fish!Tales,” by Stephen Lundin. “ When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and all the reality shows including “Survivor” and “Big Brother.” When traveling, she enjoys St. Thomas and when dining out she likes Red Lobster.
-by Michele Newbern Gillis