Kim Harding
Birthplace: Ocala. Moved to Amelia Island: Nine and a half years ago.
Family: One daughter.
Hobbies: Hanging out at b each, shopping, visiting the Great Smokey Mountains, going to Disney World and spending time with Hannah and family.
Resides: Yulee.
Favorite book of all time: “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks.
Recommended movie: “Enchanted”
Church: St. Michael’s Catholic.
Kim Harding has been a commercial lending officer with First Federal Savings Bank of Florida in Fernandina Beach for two years. She was promoted to market manager a year ago, but she still does commercial lending. She also focuses growing the bank and relationships with customers on commercial and retail side.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN NASSAU COUNTY’S COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET?
“It’s slow. It’s the economy right now. Once the economy picks back up the world of banking will be fine again. We are doing great right now at First Federal. We’re growing relationships. We are opening new accounts and definitely have money to lend.”
Harding said a lot of the development seen going on in Nassau County was started two years ago.
“They had to start building now or they would lose their concurrency or even their commercial loans they had been approved for. It is nice to see these new pretty buildings going up. Things are starting to pick up. I’m talking to people about a possible refinance at this point. I have a couple I’m talking to about construction, actually building a building, but they are still on the fence. Everyone’s saying, ‘After the election’.”
HOW DID SHE GET HER START IN BANKING?
As a credit analyst. “My best friend dragged me down and said I was applying at Barnett Bank in Ocala. I became an assistant manager. I then started up their small business banking department. From there I went to be a corporate training in Jacksonville.” She was with Barnett Bank (now Bank of America) for nine years.
COLLEGE
Bachelor’s degree in human resources from University of Central Florida.
WHY CHOOSE COMMERCIAL LENDING?
“I like crunching the numbers but I like being with people. So, that’s why I went to the commercial side, so I can still do both. I can spend time with my customers as well as play with the numbers and help people out.”
FAVORITE THING ABOUT COMMERCIAL LENDING?
“I love to help develop the right product for the customer and watch their business grow.”
BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE EVER RECEIVED?
Not to be afraid to listen to the customer. “I like to talk and the best advice I ever received was to zip my lip and listen to the customer.”
ADVICE FOR NEW COMMERCIAL LOAN OFFICERS?
“Make sure you understand the tax returns and make sure you listen to the customer and don’t think of your own pockets. Always do what’s best for the customer.”
ADVICE FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS WHEN DEALING WITH COMMERCIAL LOAN OFFICERS?
“Be patient with us. They want the deal to close quickly but weird things can happen.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
She is a member of the Amelia Island/Nassau County Association of Realtors, a chamber ambassador of the Amelia Island Fernandina Beach Yulee Chamber of Commerce and president-elect of the Fernandina Beach Rotary Club.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis