One industry leader explains its dedication to unique company culture that focuses on giving back to its employees as well as communities
.jpg)
One industry leader explains its dedication to unique company culture that focuses on giving back to its employees as well as communities.
"For us, it’s a real differentiating factor in the industry. Our culture feels different from other banks and lenders,” Nicole Green, communications specialist with Academy Mortgage, told Mortgage Professional America. “A lot of that has to do with our focus on people; a lot of our initiatives ... focus on our employees and doing an extraordinary amount for our communities. We do a lot of outreach. We have a saying that we’re trying to help people become their best. That includes helping communities in need. We’re a very service oriented culture.”
One recent example of Academy Mortgage's unique culture was an incentive trip that allowed its top producing loan officers and various other employees to embark on a journey to South Africa in September.
The trip gave Academy Mortgage staff the opportunity to help improve school infrastructure at the Makwetse School, which supports over 700 students.
Already at capacity, the school refuses to turn any child away lest it risk losing its government funding.
And that’s where Academy Mortgage staff came in: They worked on constructing a new school kitchen and new gardens. They also chipped in with painting bookshelves, classrooms, and the library.
“The Service Expedition is an important component of our heavily service-oriented company culture,” Academy President James Mac Pherson said. “Our commitment to service initiatives—both at home and abroad—helps define our culture and differentiates our company in the mortgage industry.”
These incentive trips have been happening since 2011. Other trips have included Guatemala, Budapest, and Peru.
“I interview everyone who comes back and they all say it’s life changing and it puts life into perspective,” Green said.
"For us, it’s a real differentiating factor in the industry. Our culture feels different from other banks and lenders,” Nicole Green, communications specialist with Academy Mortgage, told Mortgage Professional America. “A lot of that has to do with our focus on people; a lot of our initiatives ... focus on our employees and doing an extraordinary amount for our communities. We do a lot of outreach. We have a saying that we’re trying to help people become their best. That includes helping communities in need. We’re a very service oriented culture.”
One recent example of Academy Mortgage's unique culture was an incentive trip that allowed its top producing loan officers and various other employees to embark on a journey to South Africa in September.
The trip gave Academy Mortgage staff the opportunity to help improve school infrastructure at the Makwetse School, which supports over 700 students.
Already at capacity, the school refuses to turn any child away lest it risk losing its government funding.
And that’s where Academy Mortgage staff came in: They worked on constructing a new school kitchen and new gardens. They also chipped in with painting bookshelves, classrooms, and the library.
“The Service Expedition is an important component of our heavily service-oriented company culture,” Academy President James Mac Pherson said. “Our commitment to service initiatives—both at home and abroad—helps define our culture and differentiates our company in the mortgage industry.”
These incentive trips have been happening since 2011. Other trips have included Guatemala, Budapest, and Peru.
“I interview everyone who comes back and they all say it’s life changing and it puts life into perspective,” Green said.
