The Future of Pride Lending
At Pride Lending, we’re committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, empathy, and empowerment. We’re on a mission to empower underserved communities and help them achieve homeownership through accessible and equitable mortgage solutions. If you're passionate about making a real impact, we’d love to have you on our team.
What does the organizational structure of Pride Lending look like now and in the future?
Currently, Pride Lending is in its early stages, with a lean structure that includes loan officers, Andrew, and Michael (Loan Processor). With recent additions to the team, there’s an exciting opportunity to enhance this setup, which is greatly valued. As a small company, team members have direct access to Andrew, an arrangement that, while unique, provides essential support and guidance.
One of the primary challenges for independent mortgage brokers, compared to those in traditional banking, is the limited built-in support. In a bank, there’s typically a full team of underwriters, an operations manager, and other resources. As an independent broker, that infrastructure isn’t always available, making it difficult for newer team members in areas like reading guidelines or structuring loans. Andrew has stepped in as a resource for those in need of guidance, particularly for those newer to the industry.
Looking forward, Andrew envisions a team with increased support roles, particularly in operations and marketing. There’s a strong desire to bring in a marketing expert who can amplify the company's social media presence and support loan officers interested in building their personal brands. Melody, FL Loan Officer who currently handles marketing efforts, is excelling, but her skills are best placed in her work on loans. Additionally, Andrew sees great value in hiring an experienced sales manager—whether a producing loan officer or not—to help guide the team with a range of sales approaches.
Andrew's approach to selling is centered on empathy and building genuine connections rather than pushing for every sale. This non-salesy method prioritizes what’s truly right for the customer. Pride Lending’s competitive structure supports this philosophy, allowing the company to maintain its value and focus on delivering a straightforward client experience without frequent concessions.
In terms of operations, there’s a goal to bring in a dedicated manager who can streamline day-to-day tasks, preventing Andrew from becoming too immersed in timelines and deadlines. Additionally, as Pride Lending grows, the idea of moving to a pod structure in processing is on the horizon. This structure aligns with Andrew’s belief that the traditional 40-hour workweek is outdated for operations roles. The vision is for employees to work four 8-hour days with alternating schedules, ensuring coverage and fostering a healthier work-life balance.
These long-term goals reflect Andrew’s commitment to creating a supportive and forward-thinking environment at Pride Lending, with a focus on sustainable growth and a strong company culture.