Verve, a Credit Union (verveacu.com) has named Christina Kelly as its new Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Mortgage Loan Origination. Kelly, a mortgage lending professional with more than two decades of industry experience, will lead the credit union's mortgage team, with a focus on business growth, team development, and enhancing the mortgage experience for members. She will report to the credit union's Chief Growth Officer.

Home lending is one of the largest loan categories across the U.S. credit union industry, and because credit unions are member-owned financial cooperatives rather than shareholder-owned institutions, leadership on the origination side is closely tied to the service and guidance members actually receive. For Verve, the markers to watch under Kelly's tenure are the three areas named in her mandate: business growth, team development, and the member mortgage experience.

Mitch Kime, Verve's Chief Growth Officer, pointed to Kelly's leadership style in a statement announcing the appointment.

"Christina's servant-leadership approach focuses on helping borrowers navigate homeownership and supporting our mortgage team in their development," he said. "Her dedication to our members will help them approach homeownership with confidence while building a foundation to thrive financially."

Kelly brings more than 20 years of experience in mortgage lending and leadership to her new position at the credit union, with a professional background that spans team development, process improvement, and business growth.

Her academic and professional credentials include dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Management and Business Marketing, both from Florida State University, along with a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, a credential in the process-improvement methodology that aligns with her stated operational background. She also maintains an NMLS license through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System, the registry that mortgage loan originators in the United States are required to hold.

A native of Neenah, Wisconsin, who has lived in nine different states since, Kelly is now returning to her Fox Valley roots to take on the position with Verve.

"A mortgage is the largest financial decision most families make, and as a credit union, Verve is built to guide members through the home ownership journey," said Kelly. "I am excited to lead Verve's mortgage team and help more families in our communities get home."