Laura Gonzales has been a commercial lender and vice president at Compass Bank since June 2007. She worked for Bank of America previously, but they closed her office and moved it to Tampa. So, she joined Compass Bank.
Gonzales worked for Regency Centers after she graduated from college.
“I just fell in love with commercial real estate. All of my banking experience is 100 percent commercial.”
She started her banking career with Compass Bank in Jacksonville as an underwriter. Then she moved to Tampa and worked for SunTrust Bank as a commercial lender. She met her husband in Tampa and they moved back to Jacksonville and she went to work for Bank of America as a commercial lender.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE MARKET?
“Compass Bank is still lending for commercial real estate, but we are selectively lending. The credit has tightened. We are making sure we are lending to more experienced developers. We are not doing first-time developers at all. It is not a good time to try to develop if you are not experienced with it. We are looking for equity and pre-leasing or pre-sales. We are still working with those proven clients and loans that make sense. There has definitely been a slowdown in the number of projects that are being done. But, we are very interested in doing the ones that are strong.”
COLLEGE
She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance management from Florida State University and a master’s degree in business from the University of North Florida.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT COMMERCIAL LENDING?
“I like being able to see the project from start to finish. It’s a satisfaction to me that I was there when they were first finding a piece of land to the end where the building is built and the tenants are in it.”
CLIENTS?
Some of her clients are developers who develop across the state on a full-time basis, but most are in Jacksonville. She also works with homebuilders. “Most of the projects I’ve done this year have been retail as in grocery-anchored shopping centers. I’ve done three Publix shopping centers this year.”
BEST ADVICE?
“To stand up for what you believe in, fight for your clients and trust your gut.”
ADVICE FOR NEW LOAN OFFICERS?
“Learn the basics. Be able to underwrite your own loans. Relationships are critical to this business.”
ADVICE FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS?
“Schedule a meeting with the bank that the client can attend as well. Have a direct meeting, so everyone can sit down and understand what it is that they are looking for and to discuss options. Have them have a good idea what it is they are hoping to do with the property prior to coming to the bank. That’s one thing we struggle with a lot. We need to know what they are planning to do.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Commercial Real Estate Women of Jacksonville, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, International Council of Shopping Centers, Urban Land Institute and National Association of Professional Women.
INVOLVEMENT WITH CREW?
As a founding CREW board member, Gonzales has been heavily involved with the organization since it began in 2002.
“Women should get involved in CREW because it is one organization that can meet many needs. I’m able to have social interaction, networking for business opportunities, learn leadership skills and give back to charity all in one organization. If you are not getting something from an organization ask yourself what you are giving. If you are not on a committee, you won’t get the same thing out of it. Most of the people I’ve gotten to know well have been through my committee work. I’ve been on programs, membership, communications and philanthropic committees.”
Currently, Gonzales is the philanthropic chair.
“I’m basically the contact person for all Pace Center for Girls events, which is the charity we support. I am also in charge of anything to do with mentoring or giving to our philanthropic interest.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis