Julie Teitel, Home Loan Consultant, offers Citizens Bank a depth of knowledge and experience. Julie has had 27 years of expertise in the mortgage and financing sectors, and she is well regarded as a top loan officer. She has been recognized as one of the most informed mortgage specialists by colleagues as well as real estate practitioners for her commitment to her customers and her proactive ability to complete challenging loans. Julie embodies Citizens Bank’s dedication to being the best in the mortgage sector by setting a high industry bar for excellence, innovation, timeliness, and service.
Below are highlights of the interview between World’s Leaders and Julie Teitel:
Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.
I’m diligent and downright tenacious at work. With persistence and creativity, I find solutions where others may get bogged down or stop, and I highly prize my work ethic. I’m diplomatic, but forthright; I like to shoot straight.
Outside of work, I’ve been described as a force of nature. I am an avid equestrian and a world explorer, who travels with a sense of wonder.
Describe your background and what did you do before you started/joined the company?
After graduating from Tulane, all my friends moved to Manhattan. So naturally, I did too. My dad owned a mortgage company in my hometown, which I was supposed to take over, but as a middle child I was quite determined to write my own script and make it in Manhattan. And I did… in the same business as my dad, no less!
What has made you successful?
I think it’s quite simple, actually. It boils down to having common sense and a strong work ethic. A lucky break doesn’t last. Showing up and doing your best every day, year after year.It’s like compound interest; it builds on itself and it adds up.
What do you value?
Honesty and integrity are my highest personal values. But what I cherish most is my family. They are everything that I hold dear and everything I do is for them.
Which are the major services of the company and how do they help the company to get ahead in the competition?
We provide residential lending services to families across the US. We have some unique products that attract a certain niche, but what really brings us business is our commitment to exceeding the customer’s expectations and doing the right thing. Our clients trust us, and they come back to us.
What value-added services does the company provide?
We are a highly collaborative organization, so we partner with our underwriting counterparts, our clients’ real estate agents, and their attorneys—everyone who is a part of the transaction—to ensure timely closings and help people achieve the dream of home ownership. In the current environment, with unfavorable market shifts, wasted time can cost a deal and destroy those dreams.
What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture?
Inclusivity and diversity are so important. Giving everyone the same opportunities allows talent to rise from every corner. It’s not just the right thing, it’s also the smart thing. It expands thinking and results in better policies and procedures. You get happier, more engaged employees who serve clients better.
What principles do you believe in and how do you build this culture?
I’m a strong advocate for transparent, timely communication and delivering for the client. I lead by example. I manage expectations in real time and if I say we’re going to do something, I make sure that we follow through.
What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company?
Innovation is highly encouraged here; it’s actually one of our core principles. I participate in an innovative group called “Wonder Women”—it’s a group of seasoned female loan officers who meet on a regular basis to support each other’s growth and success in a heavily male-dominated profession. It’s been one of the best parts of my job.
Give us your opinion on; do organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes?
I think most organizations tend to reward individual heroics, but really, team processes are the backbone of any well-functioning organization. Having efficient systems in place gives leaders bandwidth for creativity and problem-solving. That’s when you get innovation and growth.
What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
I love managing my team.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
I would tell someone going into a leadership position for the first time to get into the world of their team. Understand what their day looks like, what they need to do to do their jobs well. Understand what motivates them and what’s a buzz kill. And similarly, you have a solid understanding of yourself. You should know how you work best, what brings you energy and what drains you.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
