Five Questions With: Ross Silva

Ross Silva is regional loan officer at Navigant Credit Union.
He’s the first person ever to hold this position at the credit union. He spent the last nine years working as the credit union’s marketing manager.
He talks with Providence Business News about his new role, why the credit union added it and what he thinks about the lending market in Rhode Island.

PBN: Congrats on the new job. Can you tell our readers about what your new responsibilities entail?
SILVA:
I am responsible for originating residential mortgages and cultivating new business relationships. I will be the first employee seeking out new lending opportunities and developing new partnerships within the communities in which Navigant Credit Union serves. Additionally, it will be my role to educate first-time homebuyers about the home loan process and what they should expect as a new homeowner.
PBN: Do you have any new initiatives you’re bringing to the position, and what would you like to accomplish?
SILVA:
Navigant Credit Union has been in business for 100 years, providing prudent banking services in an effort to better the financial lives of its members. My plan is to carry on the credit union’s tradition of providing excellent customer service throughout the home loan process. I bring 10 years of Marketing Department experience to my new position. As a marketer it was my job to communicate the benefits of Navigant Credit Union’s products and services. I will take the knowledge of our products and services and address each individual’s situation in an effort to better their financial lives. It is not just about the mortgage or business loan; it is about the 360-degree approach to every member’s relationship with the credit union. I want my customers to know that I am working hard on their behalf, by providing them with an exceptional experience.

PBN: You’re Navigant Credit Union’s first-ever regional loan officer. Why does the credit union feel the need to have this position?
SILVA:
Over the last several years, Navigant Credit Union has grown to 13 branches with the 14th being built, spanning across the state of Rhode Island. It was a natural evolution to start a new department where employees are out on the road making new relationships and developing new business. We are creating new partnerships with organizations like NeighborWorks to bring the dream of homeownership to people who might otherwise not get that opportunity. I am thankful and excited to take on this new role.

PBN: What’s your overall opinion of the lending market in Rhode Island and how does Navigant Credit Union stay competitive?
SILVA:
Things are good and they are getting better. The Fed has controlled the interest rate market from rising too quickly, and home values continue to increase. This allows for homeowners who were once underwater on their property the opportunity to refinance while still being an advantageous market for new homebuyers. At Navigant Credit Union, we continue to remain very competitive by being innovative and proactive. We have created a variety of loan products to meet individual borrower needs.

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PBN: In what areas are you seeing the most loan growth and what does that tell you about the Rhode Island economy?
SILVA:
We are continuing to see a lot of new home purchases, first-time homebuyers and new home construction. This tells us that people are willing to make the transition from living at home, renting or ready to make the move to a more appropriate-size home. These lending trends are a positive economic indicator for the state of Rhode Island because they show that people are willing to invest their money in real estate.

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