Jill M. SMITH VICE PRESIDENT, MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR – MUTUAL SAVINGS BANK, FRANKLIN What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Wow, looking back is very funny. I worked at a ceramic shop/tanning bed. I was very young, but I loved having a schedule, a to-do list, taking care of customers and the feeling of responsibility. What drew you to banking? My mother recommended me for the position after being offered the job and turning it down. This was 30 years ago! I liked accounting in school, but banking had never entered my mind as a career possibility. I wouldn’t change a thing! I started as a floating teller with zero experience. I took advantage of the tuition reimbursement program my bank offered and quickly became an assistant manager and then a manager. The rest is history! What recent professional challenge taught you an important lesson, and how did you overcome it? I had only been a full-time mortgage lender for around two years before COVID-19. I’m thankful for the experience I had prior to the sudden rate decrease and huge volume of refinance and purchase business we handled during that time. Recent years have been challenging with mortgage rate volatility and low inventory, but I try to stay positive and am thankful for my referral network and team members! What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in banking? There are many different aspects to banking that you may be unaware of prior to working in the industry. Find your interest and take advantage of opportunities. Hard work will be rewarded! If you weren’t a banker, what would you do for a living? An architect or designer. BANKER PROFILE What is the thing you have done/accomplished, professionally or personally, that you are the most proud of? Designing and building my home as a single parent and being a mother. How do you define success? Having good people in your corner who love and support you just as much as you love and support them. 24 HOOSIERBANKER
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