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>> My name is Lexi, and I’m an analyst in Commercial Real Estate at Wells Fargo. We
make loans to large commercial real estate developers and investors.
In this business, we have to really, REALLY know the people we’re lending to – and
that’s what I love about my job.
I was born in Georgia, south of Macon – it’s kind of in the middle of nowhere. When you
grow up in a small town like that, you know EVERYONE. I loved it, but I knew if I wanted
to be in finance, I’d have to leave.
When I graduated from college, I knew I wanted the very best – and for me, that was Wells
Fargo.
My resume landed at a Commercial Real Estate office. I said I’d volunteer, I’d intern
– I do anything! The manager knew I was not going giving up.
What’s extraordinary, though, is how invested Wells Fargo was in me. Over the next year,
the manager stayed in touch, gave me advice – I don’t know anybody who does that.
So when a position in the Financial Analyst Program opened up, of course I applied.
What I loved in college about business was the math and the order. Real estate finance
has all of those same qualities — plus the people — so I knew it was for me.
What really impresses me about Wells Fargo’s credit culture is our focus on the character
of the people we lend to. Understanding what they want to build, how they run their business
– and how they value the money we lend them.
We dedicate a lot of time to understanding the commercial real estate industry and the
market. Our analytical approach is both challenging and intense, but the people on my team have
been in this profession for years, and they’re always there to help.
>> So Lexi, what do you think of the developer’s loan request?
>> Well, the developer has over 15 years of experience and we know them really well, but
the project is a little bit out of their scope, so I recommend we do additional due diligence,
so we can get comfortable with the numbers.
Right now, what excites me most is financing new projects. I get to see and experience
everything that goes on in the construction process, from offices to industrial parks,
apartments to retail spaces.
It’s incredible to watch a structure go up, and know that I helped make that happen,
all because I took the time to really get to know our customer and their business.
That’s what commercial real estate is all about.