Pub. 11 2014 Issue 2

O V E R A C E N T U R Y : B U I L D I N G B E T T E R B A N K S - H E L P I N G N E W M E X I C O R E A L I Z E D R E A M S 20 WESTERN COMMERCE BANK, CARLSBAD, SELECTED AS TOP WORKPLACE Western Commerce Bank has been selected as one of the Top Workplaces in New Mexico for 2014. The Albuquerque Journal partnered with a national employee survey firm to determine the region’s top workplaces. To select the top workplaces, the employ - ee survey firm went straight to the experts-the employees. They were asked to respond to certain employment factors to measure how employees feel about the day-to-day job, including training, motivation, pay and benefits, and life balance. Congratulations to Don Kidd and his team for a job well done. BANK’34 ACCEPTS MFA 2013 RURAL LENDER OF THE YEAR HONOR On Friday, April 18, 2014, representatives from the office of the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority in Albuquerque present- ed the MFA 2013 Rural Lender of the Year award to BANK’34. The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority has recog- nized BANK’34 as its top producing mortgage lender in 2013 for mortgage lenders located outside of the Albuquerque area. In 2013, BANK’34 originated 91 MFA mortgage loans for a total of $9,980,893. MFA is able to provide financing and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers through lenders like Ter - ry Melón, Donice Barnes, and Patricia Carrillo in our Las Cruces branch and Alamogordo-based originators, Heather Jones and Lee Ann Bain. MFA also offers homeownership financing through its HERO program for households in which one member is a teach- er, safety worker, health care worker or an active member of the armed forces. Erik Nore, Director of Homeownership, said, “MFA relies on its lender and Realtor partners to help make homebuyers aware of the assistance available to them. BANK’34 has done an outstand - ing job of utilizing MFA’s down payment assistance programs. It is an honor to recognize them for their effort.” as stated by Ter - ry Melón at the acceptance ceremony. Marcos Montes, BANK’34 Vice President of Mortgage Lending, said, “This honor could not have been achieved without the contribution of everyone in the mortgage department. We are a strong supporter of MFA’s mis - sion to promote home ownership to first-time home buyers and other worthy individuals who may not otherwise be able to realize the American Dream of home ownership without MFA’s programs. We are very proud of this honor earned by BANK’34”. Pictured left to right: Marcos Montes, VP of mortgage lending; Brenda Soares; mortgage loan processor/closer; Teri Baca, MFA homeownership representative, Erik Nore, MFA director of homeownership; Dawn Rue, mortgage operations administrator; Terry Melón, mortgage loan originator accepting award for team; Donice Barnes, AVPmortgage loan originator; Socorro Rodriguez, mortgage loan processor/closer; Alyssa Ochoa, mortgage loan processor/closer; Gina Hernandez, AVP lead underwriter; Chris Miramontes, mortgage loan shipper. BANK NEWS