KINGSTON, Jamaica – In our rapidly changing mortgage sector, Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) a major player in the home loans market, has implemented a two-fold development initiative, to fast track its Mortgage Sales, Mr. Leon Mitchell, JN Group Marketing and Promotions Executive, announced at the Health, Home and Garden Expo.
“In the front end of the business, we have established four Regional Mortgage Centres, to come on stream as of November 1; and assigned mobile Mortgage Sales Agents to provide ‘hands-on’ management of the loan process,” he declared, “While, in the back end, we have already computerized and streamlined our loan processing, to achieve speedier and more efficient decision-making.”
Leon Mitchell
The JN Regional Mortgage Centres are located in New Kingston, Mandeville, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios; and are geared to provide faster responses to members and clients; and reduce the waiting time previously experienced in branch offices, as well as putting persons in direct contact with their Sales Agent for more direct on-going account management.
At the same time, all JN Branches will serve as “referral points” directing clients to the regional locations for more personalised services. And, all new clients will receive mortgage information to facilitate their application.
“While there is concern about the softness of the mortgage market, we are convinced that the business will grow, hence our concerted drive to revolutionise our sales operation and loan processing; thus, establishing a more ‘hands-on’ relationship with members and clients,” Mr. Mitchell affirmed.
JN Mortgage Sales will be under the direct administration of Ms. Tiffany Gordon, Senior Mortgage Sales Manager. According to Mr. Mitchell, “She has been integral to the Regional Centres streamlining process, and will continue to train Sales Agents; as well as, guiding the day-to-day operations and maintaining synergies between JN Branches, the Centres, individual Sales Agents and their clients.”
“We welcome the flexibility of our new Mortgage Sales Agents,” Ms. Gordon stated, pointing out that with their years of experience and new mobility, they be able to meet with clients at the Regional Centres; at JN Branches, by appointment; or wherever the client chooses, and facilitate clients in better time frames.”
In reference to the loans processing side of the business, Mr. Mitchell explained that, “With the total computerisation of our application and loan approval process, we will also be able to approve loans as fast as the client is prepared to move.”
“In addition, we will also be examining our interest rates and looking at new products; as well as, highlighting our on-going sales agreement with selected real estate developers, whose products are resonating with local and overseas clients,” he revealed.
JN General Manager, Earl Jarrett, in welcoming these new mortgage directions, said that assisting members to save and own a home are two of the main objectives of the Building Society; therefore, it was incumbent on Jamaica National to renew its strategies, and enhance its operations to meet the changing demands in the marketplace.
“As a major player in the mortgage market, we are committed to our members and clients,” he affirmed, “and, based on our experience and current analysis of the climate in the marketplace, we believe that we are moving in the right direction.”
