Meet our Macksville local Home Loan Specialist – Katrina Hicks
1. Tell us a little about yourself
I’m a local girl; I grew up in Bowraville and have lived in the area my whole life. My family and I live a pretty quiet life out on our little patch of Heaven in Talarm. I love to spend time with my family.
I started in banking when I was 18 and have been in the industry for a total of 31 years, so I guess you could say I’m pretty passionate about the industry! I started as a ‘batch clerk’ and worked my way through a myriad of roles all the way up to Branch Manager, then I became a Home Loan Specialist. I have been helping clients achieve their home loan dreams now for the past 20 years.
2. What is the most rewarding part of helping customers in their home buying experience?
The most rewarding part of my job is the Members of course, and being able to let them know when we have unconditional approval for their loan. I just love seeing their reaction and happiness when they know they can achieve their dreams and goals. It’s a journey I never get tired of and it makes the countless hours of a submission so worth it!
3. How do you go the extra mile for your customers?
I think it is so important to take a holistic view of the loan application process and look at a customer’s full needs, this allows me to tailor the products and service to suit the customer. I’ve been told I make the home loan process simple, less scary and very easy to understand.
4. What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love it all! The challenge always motivates me. I love to sit down and think about the best structure for the Member and how it sits into a deal we can write. I love the team environment of working with the rest of the branch staff to make sure Members go through a seamless process. I love meeting Members and working with them on their home loan journey as well as helping simplify Member’s budgets and accounts.
5. What are your biggest achievements in your career?
My biggest achievement would have to be all of the happy Members. It is a huge accomplishment for Members to purchase a home and I have felt so lucky to be part of their home loan journey.
I often bump into Members that I have previously helped with home loans and years later I have them stop to thank me for helping them into their homes. It brings such joy to my heart when I get this sort of feedback.
Lenders sometimes get caught up in the process and forget about the human side of what we do and the impact that we have on Member’s lives. The home loan doesn’t stop after settlement, so we have to make sure we get it right and we are with them for the whole journey.
6. Why do you do what you do; what inspires you to do this work?
After 20 years of being a Home Loan Specialist I really still love it, all of it! The customer interaction, the processing, the approval and the journey with the Member as a whole.
I also enjoy seeing new staff grow in their roles, as well as helping them through mentoring to develop their skills and knowledge to ensure our Members get the best possible interactions that they deserve.
Want to contact Katrina?
You can contact Katrina on 0409 865 599 or via email at