Commercial loan officer Kristy Chastain has put her degree-certified number crunching abilities to good use. Currently a vice president at Metropolitan National Bank, Chastain worked her way through the ranks, starting as a commercial support representative installing and programming credit card machines and transitioning into business and finally commercial loans.
“Not only do I hold the title of vice president, but I am one of the youngest female commercial lenders in the Springfield area,” she says. “I hold this honor in high regard.”
Chastain considers banking a male-dominated industry and says she feels privileged to help mentor other women in the profession.
“I have the opportunity daily to influence younger women I work with so they can become strong, career-minded, capable members of our workforce,” she says. “I have the ability and privilege to continue to advise and counsel them on their career path.”
Mentoring new colleagues has been one of Chastain’s joys during her career.
“I love training inexperienced staff members to work with customers and determine what other banking needs they may have,” Chastain says. “It is wonderful to see them grow and develop into young professionals.
“I believe the greatest determent we can have on our employees is not helping someone advance that has the desire to do so.”
Chastain also brings that same mentality to her work.
“As a lender, I have had the pleasure of affecting my customers and clients,” Chastain says. “I take great pride in the ability to help influence a change in business owners’ decision making and succession planning. This influence has helped my customers save money and reduce risk.”
Chastain is particularly proud of her work with the owner of a 20-year-old business that was beginning to fold. The business had taken on too much debt, made poor decisions and hadn’t planned for the future. But during the course of five years, Chastain says she helped the owner study monthly financials and things improved.
“The customer has increased revenue, increased cash flow and now has a succession plan,” she says. “This customer has been able to implement efficiency tools for his employees that allow him to work less and worry less.”
Chastain also takes her role outside the office seriously, lending a hand in the community wherever she can. She lists Springfield Regional Arts Council board membership, the United Way community investment panel and Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Red Carpet Committee membership among her civic engagements. Chastain also honed her mentoring stripes as part of Leadership Springfield XXVII.
“I have accomplished most of the goals I have set out in life to do so far,” Chastain says. “I set goals every year and review the accomplishments at the end of the year. Then I cross off the ones that I have achieved.”[[In-content Ad]]
