Lance J. Lawrence, SVP/Lexington Market Exec., Addam Lewis, VP/Retail Market Manager, Ryan M. Cooper, VP/Commercial Lending, Nathan A. Bay, Mortgage Loan Originator, (Not pictured, Gesela Flesher Brown,
Mortgage Loan Originator)
On January 2, First Security Bank opened its second location in the Lexington market at Ruccio Way. The Owensboro, KY. based bank has differentiated itself from larger competitors with its focus on relationship banking and the ability to make credit and other business decisions locally.
Lance works extensively with real estate professionals and business owners. A graduate of Georgetown College, Lance has over 15 years of lending experience and is a member of the LBAR, HBAL, and Commerce Lexington. “We are in a competitive industry, and it means a lot to me that our customers choose First Security for their financial needs,” says Lance.
Addam played football at Concord University and has been a lender for 15 years. His civic involvement includes the Reach Program, MBA, YRB, and LBAR.
Ryan has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Kentucky and belongs to Commerce Lexington, DLC, and HBAL. He has 14 years of experience in community and regional banking. “I have a great relationship with my clients, and I work hard for their success,” says Ryan.
Nathan has a B.S. in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Kentucky. Nathan has 18 years of banking experience and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and the Hope Center of Central Kentucky.
Gesela is the newest member of the First Security Bank team. “I have been lucky to learn from others in my 20+ years in lending through community involvement, education, and networking,” says Gesela.
859.899.8880 | Hamburg Banking Center, 2352 Sir Barton Way
859.410.6560 | Wellington Banking Center, 345 Ruccio Way
firstsecurity.net
Amerifirst Home Mortgage
Bryan Dollins, Branch Manager
Bryan has been a lender for eleven years. For the last two and a half, he has been working with AmeriFirst, a stand-alone mortgage banker committed to doing business the right way. They pride themselves on establishing quality relationships with clients. “We feel like every time we are able to finance a home loan, that in some small way, we are a part of the family that just bought their dream home,” Bryan explained.
In his spare time, Bryan enjoys taking bike rides in the mountains. His favorite TV show is “Two and a Half Men”. NMLS#62611
859.368.8790 | 2039 Regency Road | amerifirst.com
Cooperative Business Services
Perry Dunn, Assistant VP of Business Development
Perry has 23 years of bank experience with 17 years in commercial lending, including small business and middle market commercial credit. His experience covers investment real estate, owner-occupied real estate, SBA, revolving lines of credit and equipment finance. CBS provides commercial financing in partnership with area credit unions. “What separates CBS from the others is the ability to handle large, complex deals and completing them in a timely and honest manner,” he explained.
Perry is committed to being successful as a father, husband and business leader in Central Kentucky. In his spare time, he enjoys tennis, snow skiing and coaching youth sports, as well as attending his sons’ sporting events.
859.543.2507 | 2557 Sir Barton Way 40509 | cbscuso.com
Bank of the Bluegrass
Artie Ford, Chief Lending Officer
Artie has lived and worked in Lexington for 25 years since moving from Louisville to attend the University of Kentucky. He received his graduate degree from Louisiana State University Banking School. He was on the Board of Directors for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Kentucky/Southern Indiana Chapter and currently acts in an advisory capacity. He has been married for 12 years to his wife Stacy and enjoys playing golf, relaxing poolside & traveling to Georgia where his family is from.
Artie has 23 years of banking experience starting as a teller and working his way up to the Chief Lending Officer position that he has held for five years with Bank of the Bluegrass & Trust Company. He oversees the entire lending function for the Bank with his primary focus being on commercial lending. In his career, he has closed well over $120 million in commercial loans.
“I really enjoy trying to find ways to make a client’s life, from a financial aspect, simpler. One habit that I follow is being responsive to a client’s need immediately. I believe this is one way that I have earned the trust of my clients which gives me the most personal satisfaction.”
MLO# 478798 | BLO#421548
859.233.4500 | 101 East High Street bankofthebluegrass.com
Community Trust Bank
Candice Setzer, Business Banking Loan Officer
Candice graduated from the Kentucky Bankers Association General Banking School in 2012. She has been with Community Trust Bank for five years and loves knowing that she has the ability to help customers obtain financial freedom. She enjoys snowboarding, golf, UK sports and serving with Porter Memorial Baptist Church and Step by Step.
Community Trust Bank was named as one of Forbes Magazine’s “America’s 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies”. “We, as a community bank, can offer more customized products tailored to fit your project,” Candice explained. “I have a great team behind me and love the people I work with.”
859.982.2774 | 100 E Vine Street | ctbi.com
Bank of Lexington
Cindy C. Burton, Senior Vice President
Ryan Patrick Key, Senior Vice President
Cindy spends most of her day in lending, but she also enjoys helping find clients the right solution for all of their banking needs. A strong listener, Cindy loves having personal relationships with her clients, who come to trust her opinion on issues. Cindy also enjoys home improvement projects.
Ryan considers himself a “personal banker”. He has expertise in many areas of consumer and commercial banking, but enjoys working with customers to satisfying their banking needs and wants. A graduate of UK, Ryan has been with Bank of Lexington for over 5 years. He enjoys golf, fishing and UK sports.
Mike Schornick, Executive VP, Chief Lending Officer
Elizabeth Hobbs, Sr. VP, Loan Officer
David Burt, VP, Loan Officer
Benny Evans, Assistant VP, Loan Officer
United Bank’s experienced lenders are personal bankers who take care of their clients’ needs. They believe in building relationships with every customer, and they pride themselves on offering extraordinary service to their customers and their community. United Bank was founded in 1880 and continues to grow and change to meet today’s financial needs.
Mike is a 25+ year employee with United Bank and is very active in his community. He was the 2014 Citizen of the Year in Scott County.
Elizabeth has been with United Bank almost 5 years. She studied finance at UK and enjoys escaping to the beach with her husband and two children.
Benny has been with United Bank for 11 years; he studied business at Georgetown College. Benny is a true blue UK sports fan, especially UK hoops, and is an avid tennis player.
David is a long time personal banker and lender in Central Kentucky. He loves to play golf and hang out with his grandchildren.
Jeremy studied at Western Kentucky University and has been a lender since 2001. He is a huge UK sports fan and enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and 2 gorgeous little girls. Jeremy plays tennis and enjoys outdoor sports.
Wherever you are on your financial journey, Mike, Elizabeth, Benny, David, and Jeremy want you to know you can get there from here.
859.873.3136 | 100 United Drive, Versailles, Kentucky 40383 | unitedbankky.com
Forcht Bank
Jill Shirley, Banking Center Manager
Jill has recently joined the Forcht Bank team and is excited to bring her 15 years of lending experience to her customers. She has a passion for helping her clients achieve their goals and dreams. In doing so, she aims to help them save time and money while simplifying their lives! Jill considers herself to be hard-working and loyal, two qualities that certainly help her give her customers an excellent banking experience.
In her spare time, Jill enjoys exercising, playing word games and listening to and playing music–she can play the drums! She particularly enjoys classic rock.
859.263.6809 | 3358 Tates Creek Road | forchtbank.com
Prime Lending
Seldon Sullivan, Sr. Loan Officer NMLS#455467
Abdul Muhammad, Production Mgr. NMLS#436167
Vee Pryor, Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS#716225
Prime Lending specializes in new home loans, refinancing, and renovation loans. Their caring staff helps make the process easy for clients.
Abdul strives to provide a wonderful life for his family by helping other families obtain the dream of homeownership. “I believe the road to a great life starts at home and I want to help pave the way,” he said.
Vee has been a lender for 7 years. She believes that treating people with respect and appreciation goes a long way in this industry.
Seldon is a seasoned loan officer who gets a great deal of satisfaction helping her clients. Seldon said. “The greatest compliment I can receive is my loyal referral base.”
859.554.4216 | 424 Lewis Hargett Cr. Suite 120 | primelending.com
Traditional Bank
Shawn Woolum, Assistant VP
Shawn joined Traditional Bank in 2014 to oversee lending and deposit operations at their new Zandale Banking Center. He brings over ten years of experience to the position, as well as a motivation to help others. “I love being a community banker,” he said. “This profession allows me to meet so many great people, build relationships and have a positive impact on people’s lives.”
In his spare time, Shawn enjoys playing sports, fishing, hunting, golfing, cooking, spending time with family and attending UK sporting events. He says his proudest accomplishment is being the father to two wonderful children.
859.225.2197 | Zandale Banking Center, 2197 Nicholasville Road | Traditionalbank.com
Brad has been in the business for over 13 years. He specializes in helping clients select the mortgage that best fits their overall financial plans and goals. This level of comfort is why his clients are extremely loyal and satisfied.
Benchmark is built on integrity, honesty, accessibility, attention to detail, and extensive knowledge of the mortgage industry. Brad is proud to help his team meet these goals every day.
In his spare time, Brad enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing, reading and spending time with his family and friends. Brad considers himself a huge UK fan. He and his wife have two daughters.
859.977.5239 | 1084 East New Circle Road | bradleyhacker.benchmark.us
Benchmark
David Willoughby, Certified Mortgage Planner NMLS#20146 | KyLic. 8536
Benchmark Mortgage is a core values-based organization, focusing on achieving success through maintaining and improving client relationships, remaining dynamic, reaching for excellence and maintaining a positive attitude. They emphasize placing relationships above all other things. They base their business on preserving and strengthening all current and future client relationships.
With 16 plus years of experience as a Certified Mortgage Planner, David specializes in VA, FHA, RHS and Conventional home loans. His family motivates him; he and his wife have seven children and five grandchildren. In his spare time, David enjoys watching his favorite sports teams, including the UK Wildcats.
859.977.5933 | 1084 East New Circle Road | davidwilloughby.benchmark.us
Benchmark
Marty Preston, Partner NMLS#20984 | KyLic. 8567
Marty, a UK alumnus and father of 4, became the first Certified Mortgage Planner in the state of Kentucky in 2004. He and his team use their extensive financial experience and expertise to ensure that each and every client can maximize their savings by tailoring the loan to the financial goals and needs of their family.
When it comes to choosing a mortgage, Marty advises, “There are a lot of moving pieces people are not aware of so it is essential to have an advisor in your corner who understands the market and how to position you to save money.”
859.967.1777 | 1084 East New Circle Road | martypreston.benchmark.us
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp.
Dana Back-Pack, Branch Manager NMLS#71942
Dana is an accomplished mortgage lender with over 15 years of experience. Her areas of expertise include FHA, VA, Rural Housing Service and Kentucky Housing Corporation lending, in addition to conventional and jumbo loans. She specializes in customizing mortgage solutions and working with first-time homebuyers for low down payment programs.
“My experience and industry knowledge assures my customers a smooth transaction from pre-qualification to closing,” Dana said. “I take great pride in having a stellar reputation and have been fortunate to have worked with outstanding people and companies throughout my career. I’ve learned to always have the client’s best interest at heart and appreciate their relationships first and foremost.”
Dana was recently named Branch Manager for Fairway Independent Mortgage’s first Kentucky location. They proudly operate in 46 states and are currently rated the 5th largest lender in the nation.
In her free time, Dana enjoys riding cross-country with her husband on their Harley-Davidson motorcycle. They are proud members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, which supports those who have defended our country. She also enjoys collecting stamps on her passport, experiencing other cultures, reading on her Kindle and spending time at the beach with friends.
859.621.0169 | 220 Lexington Green Circle ste 130 | loansbybackpack.com
BB&T
Noreen Jeremiah, VP/Mortgage Loan Officer
Noreen has been with BB&T for 7 years and in the field of Finance for over 37. “I have worked with outstanding individuals that were passionate to help others realize the American Dream of Homeownership,” Noreen explains. She now works in the Downtown Lexington office of BB&T, assisting customers nationwide, from first-time homebuyers to those referred to her from the Wealth Department.
Noreen loves interior decorating, caring for her Shih Tzu, Izzy, and going to auctions, shopping and baking. She is a member of Southland Christian Church, Mortgage Bankers of the Bluegrass and the Homebuilder’s Association of Lexington.
Over the years, many of her customers have thanked her, and they keep coming back and referring friends and family. Because of Noreen’s exceptional service and experience, she achieved BB&T’s highest award for the Central KY region 2009-2013, as the Annual “Sterling Award Winner” for Outstanding Achiever in Residential Loan Production and Customer Service, funding over $160 million in loans since joining BB&T! In 2014, Noreen was honored by winning the “Mortgage Banker of the Year” for the Lexington/Bluegrass area. She was also “Mentor of the Year 2014” for Lexington’s Women’s Council of Realtors.
859.281.2153 | 200 West Vine Street | bbt.com
Mortgage Suppliers
Eric Kimbel, Branch Manager
Eric has been in lending for 14 years. He recently joined the Mortgage Suppliers team and is eager to help new customers. He especially loves to work with first time homebuyers. “I gain major satisfaction in helping young people get off to a great start in life,” he said. “I counsel them to make sure they are comfortable with their decisions.”
The staff with Mortgage Suppliers aims to help customers navigate through all the new rules that are out there. No customer is ever exactly the same, so they aim to find the right fit for each client.
859.278.0303 | 171 W. Lowry Lane, Ste. 178 | mortgagesuppliers.com
Flagstar Bank
Jesse Hardins - Senior Loan Originator
Darren Bronski - Senior Branch Manager
Kevin Williams - Senior Loan Originator
Flagstar is one of the nation’s largest lenders that provide USDA, VA, FHA and Conventional loans.
Jesse has been in the mortgage business for 13 years. He takes pride in providing timely, dependable and professional service.
Darren is a lifelong mortgage professional and has been in the industry as an originator for 17 years. He enjoys spending time on the golf course or skiing with his wife and three daughters.
Kevin has been a mortgage professional for over 15 years and is dedicated to his clients’ needs and Realtor partners. When he is not working, he spends time with his kids.
859.253.3377 | 444 Lewis Hargett Circle #220 | flagstar.com
Republic Bank
Dennis Bohannon, VP
Dennis considers his expertise getting to know his clients and their businesses as his biggest asset. He enjoys helping individuals and companies succeed in this market. He offers his clients individualized solutions and guidance to drive financial success. Dennis has 20 years of lending experience and has worked with Republic Bank for over six years.
Dennis, a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a BBA in Finance, enjoys spending time with family, traveling, playing golf, fishing and exercising in his spare time. He, his wife and three children–who he considers his proudest accomplishment–enjoy vacations and outdoor activities together.
Lawrence W. Wetherby III, VP, Senior Business Banker
Lawrence worked in sales and politics before joining the mortgage and banking industry 11 years ago. For the last two and a half years, he has enjoyed building relationships with his customers through Republic Bank. They pride themselves on offering a personal touch and financial solutions that fit any customer’s unique needs.
Lawrence enjoys participating in a number of sports activities, as well as doing yard work, reading, gardening and spending time with his family and friends–especially his German Shepherd, Bear. He is involved with the Downtown Lexington Corporation Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
Andy has over 19 years of experience in lending. His focus is on commercial and industrial lending, as well as working capital lines of credit, equipment financing and real estate financing for both large and small manufacturing, service and distribution companies. He also provides financing for investment properties. He is motivated to meet the right people at the right time, then working hard to earn their trust as their lender.
In his spare time, Andy enjoys photography and discovering Kentucky’s bourbon. He serves on the board of Community Ventures Corporation and the finance council of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and School.
859.253.2605 | 110 W. Vine Street, #100 | yourcommunitybank.com
Your Community Bank
Camden Skidmore, VP, Business Services
Camden works with businesses, business owners and individual investors that need capital for their business, or who are interested in refinancing an existing debt. “As a lender, it is my goal to make the process of buying equipment, commercial real estate or opening a line of credit as easy as possible, so my clients can keep the focus on their business,” Camden said. “Your Community Bank has a streamlined process that makes the whole experience simple.”
In his spare time, Camden says he, his wife and two teenage daughters enjoy spending time at the lake, tubing, water skiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing.
859.253.2605 | 110 W. Vine Street, #100 | yourcommunitybank.com
PNC Bank
Jeffrey Zinger, VP Commercial Banking
Jeff, who has eighteen years of experience as a lender, works as a Relationship Manager in PNC Bank’s Commercial Banking Group. “I am the trusted financial partner for the companies with whom I work,” he explained. “In addition to helping my clients meet their financial goals, I strive to provide them with ideas and advice that will help make their businesses even more successful.”
Jeff strives to be successful while helping others achieve their goals. “I truly thrive from the ‘win-win’ mentality. I believe that is what makes good business partnerships.” he said.
Actively involved with numerous community organizations, Jeff makes giving back a priority. He works with Habitat for Humanity, South Lexington Youth Baseball and is a former board member for the American Cancer Society. “I lost my father to cancer my junior year in college. During my entire adult life, I have tried to base my career and life decisions on what I think would make him proud,” Jeff explained.
In his spare time, this husband and father of two enjoys cheering for his favorite teams–the Kentucky Wildcats, the Michigan Wolverines and the Indianapolis Colts–running, playing golf and coaching his son’s sports teams. He is also a huge trivia buff.
859.281.5383 | 301 E. Main Street suite 100 | pnc.com
Kentucky Bank
Linda G. Helm, Mortgage Loan Officer, Vice President
Linda recently brought her 27 years of experience to Kentucky Bank. “I saw the move to Kentucky Bank as an opportunity to fulfill some personal career goals with a strong and growth orientated community bank,” she explained. “I love helping people and treating everyone with kindness and understanding. It brings such satisfaction to see the smile on a client’s face after they have just closed on a new home purchase or refinanced into a better situation that makes them more financially secure.”
Linda likes finding volunteer opportunities that match her skills. She says her favorite pastime is watching her sons grow up.
859.469.7374 | 360 East Vine Street #100 kybank.com
Greater Kentucky Credit Union
Susan Rimer, Versailles Branch Manager
Stanley Groves, Assistant Mgr. and Lending Officer
Jeff Vice, Member Service and Sales Mgr.
Greater Kentucky Credit Union has proudly served its community and members since 1953. They are eager to build lasting relationships by providing a full range of services to meet each customer’s financial needs. They are committed to providing exceptional service with local decision-making, providing quicker, more efficient responses.
Susan has over 30 years of credit union experience, including management, consumer lending and mortgage organization. Jeff has over 15 years of experience in sales and management and serves as GTKY’s Lead Underwriter. Stanley has 10 years of credit union experience, including management, consumer lending and mortgage organization.
Greater Kentucky Credit Union is Federally insured by NCUA.
859.231.9300 | 1001 Red Mile Road | gtkycu.com
First State Financial
Michelle Howard, SR. VP
Michelle has been in banking for 25 years. She started her career as a teller and worked her way through various banking positions. She has been with First State Financial for 16 years and was recently promoted to Senior Vice President.
Client relationships are important to Michelle. “I love the relationships that I have with my customers. I love seeing them grow and prosper,” she said. Michelle helps deliver on this by providing quality, reliable and friendly financial services.
Michelle is mainly involved with commercial lending, but that’s not all she does. “I take care of all of my customers’ needs. I can do business loans, home loans or even car loans,” she explained. “I have one of the largest portfolios in our bank.”
First State Financial is family-owned. They have been in business for over 100 years and are proud to be a leader in community banks in the region while offering a variety of services that are perfect for a variety of customers.
Michelle has two children. She and her husband have two dogs, a Lhasa-poo and a German Shepherd. Her father owns and operates Papa Diamonds Mustache on Romany Road.