Valerie Reyes

"To me, banking and community go hand in hand. Having a financially stable community gives a sense of peace. Being involved, giving back and volunteering in your community is so important."

Mortgage Loan Officer
​WCB, Blair

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In your own words, describe your role at the bank.
As a mortgage loan officer, I assist customers with the purchase of a home, refinance, HELOC, lot loans and construction loans. However, I am also able to help customers with any type of consumer loans, checking and savings accounts along with some online banking.

How did you get into banking?
I was operating a daycare out of my home when we were looking to relocate to Blair. Our realtor actually made the suggestion to me about applying at WCB and reached out to an employee there on my behalf. I interviewed for a teller position and was hired a week later for a personal banking position. A little over nine years later and a couple different roles including senior personal banker, personal banker supervisor, lending associate and junior mortgage lender, now here I am as a mortgage loan officer.

How is a career in banking an opportunity to impact your community?
​To me, banking and community go hand in hand. At WCB our mission is to guide people to financial success. Having a financially stable community gives a sense of peace. Being involved, giving back and volunteering in your community are so important. My family and I live in this community, and I want to help make our community a great place to live and grow.

Why is banking a great career?
Banking is rewarding. When you work for a company who truly treats you like a family, it is a great feeling. Financially assisting people who are strangers, then become customers, then become friends is pretty great!

Share your favorite book, podcast or quote. Why is it your favorite?
Quotes are my favorite. I absolutely love reading and relating to them. I have anxiety, am such a worrier and struggle with self-confidence. There is just something about a quote that is motivational, and knowing that someone at some point was also having the same feelings is reassuring that I am not alone.

Is there anything you'd like to add about your family heritage or what Hispanic Heritage Month means to you?
I am 1/2 Hispanic. My dad is 100% Hispanic, and my mom is Caucasian. I believe it is important, no matter what nationality you are, to love and embrace your heritage. While being partially Hispanic doesn't necessarily make me who I am as a person, without my heritage and the sacrifices they chose to make, I would not be where I am today. For that I am very appreciative. God bless the USA.