Move Your Money relaunched during Financial Literacy Month! Throughout April, financial institutions, nonprofits and human service agencies all ramp up their support so that individuals, communities and businesses alike may evaluate and seek to improve their financial resiliency and impacts.
The institutions where we hold our accounts, take out our loans, and seek financial services have the opportunity to create positive social and environmental impacts, keep our money close to home, and invest in local businesses.
To learn more about how this works in action, we spoke to Kory Brown, a Commercial Lender with Lake Michigan Credit Union.
Title: Commercial Lender, LMCU
Neighborhood: East Paris (4050 Lake Dr. SE)
Can be spotted: Playing a round of golf at any local course!
Q: How long have you lived and worked in Michigan?
I was born and raised in the greater Grand Rapids area, Sparta to be exact, before moving out of state for a few years to play baseball at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Upon graduating, I moved back to Grand Rapids and began my professional career in banking.
Q: What is your favorite local business memory?
Some of the most memorable aspects of lending for me is being able to assist local businesses with their operations or a specific project and then being able to look back and see their growth over the years, or that project that they were so passionate about come to fruition. There is a huge sense of pride in seeing that realization and knowing that I was able to assist with it.
Q: What habits are you building in 2022 that support a resilient economy?
As a commercial lender, our relationship with business owners is critical; in order to support a resilient economy it is important that we understand our client’s business operations with great detail so that we are able to offer lending products that are able to properly meet their needs.
Q: What does a standard day in the life of a commercial lender look like?
One of the aspects that I really enjoy about being a commercial lender is that every day is different. Some days consist of being at my desk to provide client support or move transactions through the underwriting or post-approval stages while other days are spent on the road meeting with existing members or prospects who want to discuss their lending needs.
Q: What most excites you about supporting businesses at LMCU?
What most excites me in supporting businesses at LMCU is the opportunity I am awarded to meet such great business owners and get to know them on a personal level. It is exciting to see the passion and determination of these individuals to grow their businesses and how much they care about their employees. It is also exciting to support these businesses and then have the opportunity to see first-hand the impact that they have in the community in which I am a part of.
Q: What makes Lake Michigan Credit Union unique?
LMCU is the largest financial institution headquartered in Michigan. We put our members first while still providing the products and services that national financial institutions offer. Our commercial lending department is different because all decisions are made locally with experienced lenders that know and understand the local market. We take the time to truly get to know our business members and their employees and are able to offer some of the most competitive interest rates in the market.
Q: How can businesses, families, and individuals get involved with Lake Michigan Credit Union?
Anyone can be a member at Lake Michigan Credit Union, and becoming a member is incredibly easy. You don’t have to belong to any specific industry, company, or organization to join LMCU. From low auto rates and low down payments on your mortgage to more money back on your checking account and business banking account, the variety of products and services we offer provide a solution to almost anyone. Stop in to speak to one of our amazing staff or visit LMCU.org today to get started.
Other blogs you might like:
Lake Michigan Credit Union Puts People First
Move Your Money: It’s Good For Michigan
