2015 Trusted Advisers Up-and-Comer: Jennifer Ashley

Guaranty Bank residential lender Jennifer Ashley has entrenched herself in the community and surrounded herself with a network of other business professionals to help grow her business and serve the needs of as many clients as possible. After joining the Guaranty Bank team in March 2014, she is beginning to hit her stride.

“During the nine months I was at Guaranty Bank in 2014, I closed 16 loans. During the first five months of 2015, I have already closed 19 loans,” Ashley says.

Now, with five years experience in banking and loan processing, Ashley, who holds a bachelor’s in economics from Missouri State University, has become active in a variety of organizations within and outside her industry. She’s involved in the Women’s Council of Realtors, she serves on the membership committee for The Network, she is the membership co-chair for the Rock ‘n Ribs committee through Rotaract, and she is involved in the both the Springfield and Nixa chambers of commerce.

But that’s not all.

“I regularly attend Nixa chamber events, including the general membership luncheon, Working Women in Nixa, 6 Degrees Networking and Chamber Coffee Connection,” Ashley says, adding she serves on the steering team for Working Women of Nixa.

“I take advantage of as many networking groups as possible. These include Working Women’s Web, Networking Christian Alliance, 1 Million Cups and Masterminds of Business.”

For Masterminds of Business’ Cartel chapter, Ashley serves as public relations chairwoman.

Beyond business groups, Ashley donates her time to charitable efforts, as well.

“I am on the family selection committee for Habitat for Humanity. With Big Brothers Big Sisters, I am a lunch buddy and have participated in Bowl for Kids Sake,” she says. “I am actively involved in youth activities with my church, including serving on the youth committee, leadership team for Camp Chi Rho and serving as a counselor at the 2013 National Youth Gathering.”

Ashley’s budding career – which includes a two-year stint with Empire Bank and a year each with Great Southern and Academy banks – centers around helping clients become home owners, consolidate debt and achieve financial independence. She takes a customer-focused approach to her work.

“I explain the loan options and process in a clear and simple manor that my debt customers can understand; I keep the communication lines open between all parties to keep the loan on track and on time; I work to anticipate potential issues and resolve them before they become a problem; [and] I make myself available to any and all questions they may have,” Ashley says.

Often, the process doesn’t go the way a client might hope, but Ashley says she enjoys stepping up her game to meet their needs.

“Unfortunately, more often than not, when a customer applies for a loan, they do not qualify,” she says. “However, I love working with those clients and putting together a plan of action so that they can qualify in the future.

“Sometimes it is as simple as saving a little more towards a down payment or paying off a small bad debt, and we can get them to qualify within a month or two. My job is to advise them with a plan so they can accomplish their goal.”