Information session set for today on business recovery grant
January 31, 2007Nathan Robinson
February 2, 2007MidSouth Bank has made yet another purchase in the Tri-parish area to expand its ever-growing multitude of services and resources.
Now, with the acquisition of Mortgage Specialists of Houma, Lafayette-based MidSouth will extend its home financing services.
The mortgage firm founder and owner Deanie Guidry was hired by MidSouth during the purchase. Her 17 years of home financing and real estate experience greatly appealed to MidSouth, and landed her in a mortgage specialist position with the expanding company.
“Deanie is one of the most knowledgeable mortgage loan originators in this region; she has a wealth of contacts and friends in the local real estate business,” MidSouth Bank Mortgage Manager Greg Bell said in a recent release.
“She will play a key role in the aggressive expansion of our mortgage lending services in Terrebonne, Lafourche and St. Mary parishes, where we meet a full spectrum of mortgage needs,” he said.
Regional president Troy Cloutier said MidSouth did provide some home finance services before the acquisition but with the help of Guidry, will be able to take a more proactive approach to lending and financing.
“The mortgage business has been steadily growing not only in Houma, but it has become a nationwide trend. And with that growth, we just saw this move as the next step,” said Cloutier.
MidSouth has continued its expansion following the I-10 corridor from Baton Rouge into Texas with its newest branches opening in Lake Charles and Conroe, Texas.
The Feb. 3 grand opening of the Thibodaux branch, which opened its doors for business in December, is only the beginning of a Bayou Region business boom. A south Lafourche branch is slated to open in the third or fourth quarter of 2007 and, Cloutier said, the bank is currently searching for property for an East Houma office.
As for the Guidry, she said she is ready to work with MidSouth, assisting customers purchasing and re-financing primary homes, secondary residences and investment properties.
“MidSouth Bank has a tremendous reputation in this region and throughout the state and its top priority is customer service, which has been he hallmark of my success in the home financing business,” said Guidry.
According to Cloutier, Guidry has relocated from her original firm’s location in downtown Houma to the St. Charles Street branch office. She will be the only member from Mortgage Specialists to join the MidSouth team.
“Combining the customer service skills she has honed over almost two decades with MidSouth Bank’s resources and access to major funding sources in the national markets is a critical component of our expansion plan and will be invaluable for our customers and potential customers,” said Bell.
