Michelle Cooper

Morehead City Branch Manager, Loan Officer —

Meet Michelle Cooper, one of the women leading CIMG who elevates and inspires us every day! Michelle is the Morehead City Branch Manager and a Loan Officer on the Robby Oakes Mortgage Team. 

What do you do/what role does your department play in the mortgage process?

My role at CIMG is a Loan Officer. I’m the first step when someone is looking for financing to buy a house. I guide customers through the mortgage process by helping them find how much they qualify to borrow and pre-approving them for a loan before house shopping. I discuss what purchasing a home will look like for their scenario from a financial standpoint starting with how much money they will need to bring to closing and what estimated monthly payments will be after that. Once they have that information they can shop for a house with confidence! I continue as their main contact for the remainder of the mortgage process and I will likely even attend the closing! That’s the fun part!

How long have you worked at CIMG?

I have been with CIMG since Summer of 2020.

What do you love most about what you do?

The best part of my job is that I am constantly learning new things and I am interested in what I do each day. When I wake up, I immediately start thinking about the day before and pick right back up where I left off. There is very little about my job that is repetitive. I get to meet new people and help them with what is very likely one of the largest financial decisions of their life.

Any advice to young women who want to succeed in the workplace/mortgage industry?

Advice I have for young women that want to succeed in the mortgage industry, or any career, is to find good mentors. Find people that are successful, that you respect, and that want to see you succeed. Put together your own personal board of directors and talk with these people frequently. When one of them gives you advice that sounds difficult to do or outside of your comfort zone, lean in and do it. Do the hard things.

What do you think is the key for success in a role like yours?

One of the keys to success in a role like mine is having knowledgeable, accountable, and reliable people working with you. It takes a lot of people and departments to get a loan ready for closing from referral partners and closing attorneys to my coworkers. I work with some of the best in the industry.