“We genuinely love our customers, and we’re grateful that so many of them consider us a friend after we do business with them.”
Sherri (NMLS #771979) has led the team of home mortgage specialists at Minnesota Lakes Bank for the past 12 years. She is quick to note that her colleagues, Aaron Schnitzler (NMLS #1173641) and Clare Swenson (NMLS #1783665), share her passion for closing home loans as perfectly as possible.
“We pride ourselves when it comes to a home closing,” Sherri explained. “Some people may think we take things way too seriously, but we’re on fire when it comes to getting our closings done in a timely and error-free manner.”
Many of the customers Sherri and her teammates help have a business or retail account with Minnesota Lakes Bank already.
“Our Delano and Mound teams of lenders have helped us and our customers with bridge loans, home equity loans, construction loans, business loans and many other products,” said Sherri, “and we are grateful for their support.
“Josh Gehlen (Senior Vice President) recently assisted us with a bridge loan when working with a customer we had pre-approved for a mortgage,” Sherri explained. “Our buyer was able to pull money out of their existing home to make a decent down payment on the home he was hoping to buy. This allowed the customer to make a strong, non-contingent offer.”
Sherri added that they also team up with the Delano and Mound lenders on home construction loans. “Our lenders will help customers arrange construction financing to build the home, and then we’ll take on the final loan at the end of the process. We try to make it as seamless as possible.”
On another recent project, Sherri worked with Sherry Valley, senior commercial lender, to assist a customer with their start-up business.
“A customer called us for assistance, and we called Sherry Valley, who was able to get back to them later that same day. They really appreciated that quick response, and it’s an example of the responsiveness we repeat so often.”
Sherri observed that one characteristic defining Minnesota Lakes Bank is the company’s willingness to customize the financial services they provide customers.
“When it comes to lending, one size does not fit all,” Sherri noted. “Not all customer needs can be addressed with one financial product, so we work as a team to respond to the customer request and get them a proposal that best fits their needs.”
While some of Minnesota Lakes Bank’s larger competitors like to attract customers by promising low rates on traditional lending products, they don’t respond to requests that are slightly out of the norm.
“They’re like a huge cruise ship floating down a river,” said Sherri. “They can make good progress, but they can’t turn or deviate from their course. We have the flexibility to listen to what a customer needs and then respond as best we can.”
Sherri’s pride in her work and her desire to satisfy customers are obvious when you listen to anecdotes about her work. As an example, she read a thank-you note she’d received the previous day. It came from a couple Sherri has been helping for the past three years.
“We deeply appreciate your help, especially the time and effort it took to complete numerous fee worksheets during this process. We are so very happy with our new home, and you were wonderful.”