Corey Kates,
AVP, Mortgage Lender
NMLS # 1652367
Apply with Corey
Corey Kates joined INB in 2017 as a loan processor, but from day one, he knew his goal was to be a mortgage lender. And after experiencing INB’s culture firsthand, he was certain this was where he wanted to build his career and serve clients.
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Born and raised in Springfield, Corey graduated from Sacred Heart-Griffin and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from University of Illinois Springfield. He became familiar with the banking industry during his first job as a Sales Consultant with Systemax, selling marketing materials for banks and credit unions throughout the country.
Based on that experience, Corey was confident he wanted to pursue a career in banking, so he took a position as an underwriter with Wells Fargo’s home mortgage department.
“I realized in that role that there was no greater feeling in the world than letting a client know we could save a home from falling into foreclosure after they lost their spouse and went to a one-income household. Or letting a client who was the victim of a layoff right before Christmas know that we could help suspend their mortgage payments for a few months while they searched for a new job,” he says.
While Corey liked helping people all over the country, he wanted to work with customers in his own community. When the opportunity came up at INB, Corey jumped at the chance to be part of the process of helping families move into their new homes while learning all aspects of the origination cycle.
Today, Corey is AVP, Mortgage Lending at INB, specializing in all facets of the home loan process, including VA loans as a Veteran Mortgage Advisor. “I truly enjoy being able to be part of one of the biggest life milestones for people, and seeing the happiness it brings clients just means the world to me when they close on their new home,” he shares.
Most of Corey’s free time outside of work involves spending time with his wife Jamie and son Aiden. During the summer, he can usually be on the golf course with friends!
He also strives to meet crucial needs in the community whenever he can. As a resident of Chatham, he served on the board for the Chatham Community Area Library Foundation, which helped with fundraising on a new $250k addition to the Chatham library. He also co-chaired the Mike Steele Memorial Golf Tournament, an event honoring his late uncle which helped raise money for families in need caring for children with disabilities or illnesses.
“I want to build a lasting relationship with my clients, and I believe that going out of your way to help others causes a chain reaction in other altruistic acts,” Corey says. “If I can make a difference in one person’s life each day, then I’ve found my sense of purpose and satisfaction.”