Each week on “On a Mission” we talk to community leaders who are out to make a positive impact in the area. Today, our host Wendy Norfleet talks to Tillery Durbin from 121 Financial Credit Union.

121 Financial Credit Union is Jacksonville’s hometown credit union. They have been in the community for 86 years and serve both personal and business needs to Jacksonville and the local surrounding communities.

To learn more, visit https://121fcu.org.

What makes your company unique?: In the business services department we focus on small business and start-ups. We specialize in loans under $100,000 and government loans like SBA 504 and PPP loans.

How do you define success?: To me success isn’t about the amount of loans or production you do it’s about the quality of service you provide. It’s ensuring that you provide qualify service and your clients or members so they in turn refer you to friends and family.

Who in the industry inspires you and why?: Our CEO David Marovich has inspired me through out my career at 121 FCU. He hired me with no experience and has thought me everything I know about commercial lending. He has a passion for helping people and loved to listen to their stories. He always wanted to help them make their dream a reality.

What is a tip for success that you would provide someone in your same industry?: I would suggest other lenders to listen to borrowers, listen to their needs and concerns and inform them what your institution can do to help.

What excites you most about your industry?: Meeting new people and hearing their stories is what excited me. I love helping people and helping their dream become a reality.

What is the biggest challenge you think you or your organization is going to face in the upcoming year?: In 2020 we faced covid 19, from businesses closing, individuals loosing their jobs. We as an institution did deferment payments on loans, consumer pandemic loans and Paycheck Protection Program to help our location community.