Teresa Downey

What made you decide to be a BankSouth Loan Officer?

I didn’t. My career chose me. I started working in the mortgage industry in 1988 as a part-time employee. My role grew from junior processor through the operations side, including underwriting. I joined the sales team as a production partner to a top producer in 2001 and began originating my own book of business in 2012.

What accomplishments you’re most proud of?

Raising my children. I have 2 adult children. Both are successful. Both have a strong work ethic and treat others with kindness and respect. They’ve both told me that their father and I showed them what love looked like and how to treat other people.

What is your biggest success professionally? Why was it a big success?

Being awarded the rising star award in 2012. That was my first year originating my own book of business. It was a statement from the leadership that they believed in me and that YES, I could do this.

What makes you different than others in your profession?

I will still meet a client in person. In a time that everything is digital, I find that the borrowers and agents in the area that I serve still like to meet in person. I will meet them in person for application and I attend 90% of my closings. I consider my support staff as equal teammates and I recognize that they are a very important part of the transaction from the beginning to the end. I think it’s important to make them feel valued.

What do you enjoy doing on weekends?

In the fall, I watch college football with my sister. In the summer, I spend time on the lake, we have a pontoon boat. We enjoy having our friends join us. I have a new grandbaby so I spend the weekends visiting him.

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?

I wanted to be a school teacher. I don’t know why. I had a chalk board and I taught my friends math and cursive writing. Maybe I’m not too far off from that now. The majority of my business is first time home buyers. In a way, I am a teacher.