In this episode of Behind the Curtain, hosts Steve Luther and Van Hohe sit down with Joan Fleming, Senior Vice President at Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company. Celebrating over 31 years in Nashville and 16 years with Citizens, Joan takes us on her journey from starting as a marketing assistant at SunTrust to founding her own firm, Creative Vision Mortgage, and ultimately shaping the mortgage division at Citizens.

Joan shares her passion for serving first-time homebuyers and underserved communities, describing how she views mortgage lending not just as a job, but as a true ministry that turns income into generational wealth. The conversation covers the breaking news of Citizens launching its new mortgage subsidiary, CBN Mortgage, the power of 100% financing programs without income limits, navigating fluctuating interest rates, and why financial literacy is essential for young home buyers.

• Mortgages as a Ministry: Joan shares how a conversation with her 9-year-old daughter convinced her to stay in banking rather than switching careers to nursing during a recession.
• Breaking News (CBN Mortgage): Joan announces publicly for the first time that Citizens Bank & Trust is expanding its mortgage department into a full mortgage subsidiary called CBN Mortgage to bring more programs to clients.
• The 100% Financing Game-Changer: Discover how Citizens created a 100% financing program up to conforming loan limits without location or income restrictions to help buyers walk through the door with zero down payment.
• Pivoting with Joy: From napkin-sketching loan programs with her Chief Credit Officer to adapting through economic recessions, Joan discusses the freedom and flexibility of working with a local community bank.
• Advice to First-Time Homebuyers: Joan explains why young buyers need to look past current interest rates, focus on long-term equity over "dream home" expectations, and practice sound budgeting before taking on a mortgage.

"All I do is at the end of the day to ensure that the American dream is met... My daughter basically said, 'Mommy, mortgages are your ministry. If you leave, then who's going to help all the people?'" — Joan Fleming

Joan Fleming is the Senior Vice President at Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company and a graduate of Tennessee State University. With decades of experience in lending, management, and team building, she is a passionate advocate for homeownership and financial literacy throughout the Nashville community.

Connect with Joan:

• Website: AskJoan.net (for pre-qualification, budgeting, and inquiries)
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joan-fleming-a47563117/

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