1. DENISE BUEL
1937 Cardinal Harbour Road 859.445.5210
Prospect, KY 40059 christen.buel@gmail.com
MORTGAGE OPERATIONS MANAGER
A disciplined, detail-oriented, practice-based, executive-level professional, with more than 16 years of experience in
management positions in retail and wholesale lending in fast paced, energetic, highly demanding business
environments in the real estate field. Strong focus on underwriting, closing, post-closing, and processing, secondary
market mortgage loans, and mortgages. Knowledge of underwriting standards and state and federal fair lending laws
and regulations. Deep-rooted customer service philosophy, exceptional client relationships, and strong leadership
capacity to communicate professionally with clients, colleagues, and management at all levels. With the right
combination of disciplined work ethics, experience, excitement, passion, and sheer will to contribute to companies
continued growth and success, seek to benefit organizations which require a consultative and trusted advisor, by
applying acquired knowledge, skills, and strengths within a new leadership management role or capacity. Willing to
relocate to Charlotte, NC, Columbia, SC, or Orlando or Tampa, FL.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
 Retail, Wholesale Lending  Credits, Loans, Mortgages, Real Estate  Risk Analysis, Audits
 Underwriting, Lending Standards  Closing/Post Closing, and Processing  Time Management
 FHA, VA, FNMA, Freddie Mac, RHS,
DPA State Board Programs, TRID
 Organization, Management, Human Resources  Powerful Negotiator
 Multitask, Attention to Details, Results Oriented  Process Improvements
KEY SKILLS ASSESSMENT
Business Developer and Implementer – Ability to perform aimed at developing and implementing growth
opportunities achieving the best results, focused on win-win outcomes. Expertise in identifying, establishing, and
cultivating new business opportunities and start-ups, proficient closer. Lead and supervise the definition and
execution of top priority cross-functional operations and performance improvement initiatives, while effectively
ensuring timelines and compliance of organizational policies and procedures. Provide guidance and support to
operational activities maximizing growth, profitability, and establishing strong customer relationships.
First-Rate Customer Service and Communication – Professionalism, excellent work ethics, and a strong sense of
teamwork and collaboration to communicate within an organization, at all levels, and with clients to provide
excellence in customer service and relationships. Recognized to go above and beyond for customers.
Risk ANALYSIS AND PROBLEM SOLVING – Strong analytical and creative problem solving skills, with the ability to
underwrite loans weighing risk for reward. Interpret and understand complex situations and issues professionally,
evaluate risks and decisions, and relay solutions in clear and concise terms.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
COMMONWEALTH BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, LOUISVILLE, KY 2011 – PRESENT
VP MANAGER OF UNDERWRITING, PROCESSING, CLOSING AND POST CLOSING
 Manage a team of 9 Underwriters, 8 Processors, 3 Closers, 3 Post-Closers, 3 Registration Associates and 1 Quality
Control Specialist, providing dedicated training, coaching, and support
 Mentor the underwriting teams to keep them updated on assigned job functions and general underwriting
knowledge, as well as compliance with all institutional and industry policies, procedures, and regulations,
encouraging a corporate culture in all actions and words
 Supervise processing, examine loan documentation for accuracy and completeness, work with loan originators to
secure all required documents, and assure overall exceptional customer service
 Ensure closing and post-closing teams maintain appropriate turn times per TRID or other investor requirements

2. Denise Buel
Resume, Page 2
 Identify, develop, and maintain a quality network of business relationships to support new lending opportunities
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE CONTINUED
 Achieved a 300% production increase in the Secondary Market Mortgage Division, from 742 units or $127.2MM in
2011 to 2,084 units or $353.4MM in 2015, as well as a record high $55MM in locked loans in March 2016
 Maintained significant defect rate with third party auditing company under 0.1% for closed and denied
withdrawn files for underwriting and compliance errors
 Appointed Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS) signing officer, oversee MERS biennial quality
assurance data reviews, and guide all bank teams with any MERS related questions
 Introduced and implemented a paperless environment, as well as the Upfront Underwriting Process for minimal
documentation to receive an actual underwriting approval, and a new Loan Operating System to optimize reviews
before going into contracts and resolve all issues early to allow closing quickly once an offer is received
 Participated with a critical role in the rollout of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) TILA-RESPA
Integrated Disclosure Rule (TRID) requirements, which integrates disclosures and regulations to improve
consumer understanding of the mortgage process and helps to prevent surprises at the closing table
BANK OF AMERICA, LOUISVILLE, KY 2008 – 2011
VP FULFILLMENT UNIT MANAGER – RETAIL LENDING DIVISION (2011)
 Managed the Retail Lending Division, 3 fulfillment team leads and 29 loan processors, provided training and
oversight of all policies, procedures, and adherence to regulatory compliance, as well as achievement of consumer
loan objectives and the financial budget
 Achieved strategic goals, branch production turn times, pull-through, performance, and exemplary customer
service by monitoring and supervising daily loan functions
 Ensured competitiveness, kept abreast and reacted to industry changes and lending trends
 Maintained the department updated on current regulations and internal controls through quality control audits
VP SITE UNDERWRITING MANAGER – WHOLESALE LENDING DIVISION (2008 – 2010)
 Provided leadership, support, and guidance to 2 Underwriting Managers and 15 Underwriters, ensuring that the
underwriting team complied with the goals, objectives, and standards of the organization in order to meet
deadlines without compromising customer satisfaction
 Evaluated and implemented effective procedures to monitor loans and ensure branch production turn times, pull-
through, optimum performance, and outstanding customer service, while achieving goals and budgets
 Ensured that the department loan portfolio and its performance achieved company profitability, underwriting
efficiency standards, and company policies and procedures, while meeting client needs
 Maintained the highest corporate audit scores in the country by interpreting and implementing guidelines for the
underwriting team and performing risk assessments on a regular basis
NOVELLUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC, CINCINNATI, OH 2007 – 2008
UNDERWRITING MANAGER
 Created and implemented standard operating procedures and guidelines for the start-up operation
 Participated in designing and implementing the loan operating system and Novellus seller guide for use by
correspondent lenders and bulk transaction purchasers
 Directed a team of four professional, experienced underwriters, providing guidance on the interpretation and
practice of company processes, procedures, policies, and guidelines
OWNIT MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS, CINCINNATI, OH 2004 – 2006
REGIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
 Originated the Cincinnati, Ohio branch for wholesale mortgage operations and implemented standard operating
procedures for all departments

3. Denise Buel
Resume, Page 3
 Managed more than 60 employees, created training material and refresher PowerPoint presentations, provided
guidance and evaluated performance, supervised timesheets, and recommended hiring, terminations, and
disciplinary actions, when required
 Achieved average monthly volumes of 1,000 loans or $100M, the highest results in a network of 18 branches
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE CONTINUED
 Liaised with the Capital Markets Department, performed quality control on approved and closed loans for
compliance with company standard guidelines, policies, and procedures to assure they were suitable for sale on
the secondary market, and evaluated all underwriting and processes to identify and control errors
 Led communications and relationships for 30 account executives, brokers, and title companies, assisted with
general guidance and support on complex loan scenarios, loan program questions and guidelines, approvals, and
loan status follow up
FIRST FRANKLIN FINANCIAL CORP, CINCINNATI, OH 1999 – 2004
UNDERWRITING MANAGER
 Served as direct contact with all account executives, established, maintained, and enhanced customer
relationships of trust and integrity, and built rapport to provide excellent customer service, financial advice and
guidance, and ensure integrated financial service solutions
 Managed and supervised a team of 10 professional and experienced underwriters, provided guidance and training
to ensure operational integrity and achieve company objectives, as well as compliance with policies, procedures,
and quality standards
 Conducted phone sales with brokers and title companies, among others, responded to all inquiries, facilitated a
close working relationship, excellent communication, first-rate customer service, and ensured that customer
expectations were met and exceeded
 Communicated closely with the Quality Control Department, tracked, reported, and corrected underwriting
errors, identified opportunities for process improvements, and provided feedback to the quality control team
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS & REWARDS
THOMAS MORE COLLEGE | Crestview Hills, KY | Date (1988 – 1992)
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Direct Endorsement Certification
Vice President Designation Award, Bank of America, Louisville, KY (2011)
Two Promotions within 60 Days, Bank of America, Louisville, KY (2009)
Dream Team Award, Best Operations in the Country, Ownit Mortgage Solutions, Cincinnati, OH (2005)
Bill Dallas Award (CEO), Standard Plus Underwriting Authority, First Franklin Financial, Cincinnati, OH