Kristie Hayes of Mahomet began Aug. 1, as a Rural 1^st® country living loan officer based in the financial cooperative’s headquarters in Mahomet. She provides a wide range of financing products – including home loans, construction loans, lot loans, and recreational land loans – designed specifically for rural living in central Illinois.

What interested you in a career helping people make the move to Rural America?

For the past 8 years, I worked in mortgage lending years in the area as a loan officer at loanDepot in Champaign and Prairie State Bank and Trust. During this time, I came to realize the challenges in getting a loan for country living. FCI’s commitment to filling this financing gap through Rural 1^st country living lending made my decision to join the team clear.

What prepared you for this role?

I was raised in Champaign County and graduated from Champaign High School before receiving associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in business from Parkland College and Illinois State University, respectively.

Prior to joining FCI, I worked for eight As I looked to continue my career, I wanted to maintain the small town, community feeling and FCI was the place for me to accomplish this.