October 2018

Spotlight on Christy Wells

Editor’s Note: The following article was written by LBEC Councilwoman at Large Emily Creech of First Guaranty Bank. LBEC council members regularly write articles profiling a banker or a bank's education outreach. For more information on LBEC, click here

Wells

Christy Wells began her banking career 23 years ago working as a loan processor for Hammond-based Southwest Bank's Loan Production Office. Southwest Bank specialized in Farm Service Agency guaranteed agriculture loans to dairy, beef and poultry farmers and was acquired by First Guaranty Bank 19 years ago. During her time at First Guaranty Bank, she has worked in loan servicing, consumer lending and commercial lending. In 2011, Christy became regional manager and currently mentors the lending staff for four branches in the Tangipahoa market. She was promoted to senior vice president in 2013. 

Her favorite part about her job is working with customers and helping them grow their businesses with loans and other banking products. She is very experienced in lending and supportive of her team. Success to Christy is being independent and self-motivated. Hardworking and persistent, Christy always tries to keep a positive attitude which helps her to master life’s biggest obstacles. One such moment for her was learning to balance home, family and her career successfully as a single woman. She sets very high standards for herself, which drives and motivate her. 

Christy’s work ethic and integrity have helped her to succeed in her banking career. She doesn’t quit until a task is complete! While she worked in loan servicing, she learned to appreciate those that try to do things right the first time. During her banking career, she had great role models and always tries to learn from those around her. She lives by the phrases “You can never go wrong with the truth” and “Don’t worry; be happy!”

As an influential member in the community, she has held various volunteer positions and responsibilities at Leadership Tangipahoa, Hammond Rotary Club, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Tangipahoa Professional Women’s Organization and her local church. A co-worker, Vickie, has worked with Christy for many years and said, “Christy is a wonderful and knowledgeable loan officer that takes the time to get to know her customers and their wants and needs. She is a very busy woman since she is a regional manager and a commercial and consumer lender. She’s honest, genuine and one of the best bosses I’ve ever had.” 

From a loan processor to a senior vice president of a $1.7 billion financial institution, Christy still holds the same philosophy as she did 23 years ago. She is a distinguished commercial lender in the Hammond market and has an active role in her community. Christy completed Graduate School of Banking at LSU in 2014 and resides in Hammond.