Antonella Pruett has been the senior vice president of mortgage operations at Cygnet Bank in Ponte Vedra Beach since September 2005.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
“I basically oversee all aspects related to mortgages for the bank. We are a private bank so if there is a residential property associated with a borrower, I make sure the loan is originated, processed and closed. It is my responsibility to make sure the mortgages are taken care of.”
TELL US ABOUT CYGNET
“My other responsibility is for business development. I’m supposed to make sure the community knows that we are a private bank that caters to professional clientele. Our customers are builders, Realtors, CPA, financial advisors and people who work with people that have a real need for handholding, if you will. We are like a boutique bank and a one-stop shop.”
WHO ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS?
Pruett said her customers are high-end clients who have a high net worth. She said those on her shareholder list are among the who’s who of Jacksonville. “If you are an attorney, doctor or CEO of a company, you will bank at Cygnet because it is a one-stop shop. We will make house calls if needed. If a customer doesn’t have time to come to the bank and make a deposit we have set up where we have couriers go to their house and pick up their deposit.”
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE?
Pruett has more than 16 years of experience in mortgage banking. She started her career with Barnett Bank in 1985 as a customer service representative. “I learned how banking operations work and there was an opportunity in the residential lending department in Barnett Bank of Jacksonville. I realized that was my passion. It did something internally to me where I just wanted to learn more and more. I learned everything to do with residential lending and kept getting promoted and next thing I know I decided I liked being in front of people and I wanted to have that one-on-one relationship so I got the opportunity to be a loan officer in the Ponte Vedra Beach location.”
She was promoted to run mortgage operations in Southeast Georgia and then was offered an opportunity to work in the secondary marketing department for Barnett Mortgage Company in Jacksonville.
“After the merger (with NationsBank) happened, I decided I didn’t want to play in that sandbox anymore and left to join Alltel Information Services, now Fidelity Information Services. I got the opportunity to go from mortgage banking to learning mortgage banking technology. That’s where I’ve been for the last six and a half years.”
Prior to joining Cygnet, she served as a project manager/client liaison for the Chief Technology office at Fidelity Information Services.
WHY GO BACK INTO LENDING?
“I saw this as an opportunity to take all of my talents and bring them together. If I hadn’t had the multi-faceted experience in the mortgage business and then learned the mortgage technology, there’s no way I could have taken on this opportunity. Now, I get to put it all in one basket. I get to deal with the customers, mentor people that are new to the mortgage business and I get to have a say in the technology that gets used here.”
BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED?
Pruett said never let a customer not feel like they are number one. “I’ve tried to maintain that mentality throughout my career and it really has helped me.”
PET PEEVES?
“When I meet with a customer and I can tell they are not being offered full disclosure from other companies. Some people who just really work hard at achieving success don’t have time for the nitty gritty, like opening a checking account, and are sometimes treated as if they really don’t have a brain. It’s as if their intelligence is being questioned, but they are really brilliant people, just busy.”
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT?
Pruett is involved with the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Sales and Marketing Council, Womenade and the Ponte Vedra Chamber of Commerce.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET CLOSE TO REALTORS AND BUILDERS?
“I think my best way has been to reconnect with people that I used to do business with in the past. I’ve gotten a really good response from that. People do business with people they like, so I just try to connect with individuals rather than the masses because we really do have specialized services that we offer, so the more that we can get in front of people who can influence that, the better.”
LIKE ABOUT LENDING?
Pruett likes that there is an end result. “There is a beginning and an end. I get to use all my senses and my people skills. I get the opportunity to help another person achieve a goal of theirs, which is home ownership.”
ADVICE FOR NEW LOAN OFFICERS?
“Don’t try to be all things to all people. Decide what you are good at and do it very well.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“I’ve learned that if you don’t follow your passion, you won’t be good at anything. You can’t fake it.”
HOMETOWN?
Naples, Italy.
RESIDES
Hampton Glen.
CHURCH
Christ Church. She is a ministry leader who runs the welcome center.
PERSONAL SIDE?
Pruett is single and has two teenaged daughters. When she is not working, she enjoys running, outdoor activities and going to the beach. The last movie she saw and would recommend was “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” A book she has read and would recommend is “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into “Related.” When traveling, her favorite place is Italy. When dining out, she enjoys Casa Marina Hotel in Jacksonville Beach. “They have a great brunch on Sundays.”
-by Michele Newbern Gillis