First County Bank Spotlight – Maria Alves
Meet Maria, Mortgage Loan Originator in our Residential Lending Division.
Tell us a little about yourself!
I am originally from Stamford where I was born and raised, but now live in Norwalk with my husband, our two sons Mason and Cameron, and one fur baby – Bronx, our French Bulldog.
Traveling with my family is something I love to do. I enjoy taking my boys to different places and exposing them to different scenery, cultures, and local cuisine. Although it’s not a faraway place our favorite family trip is to Myrtle Beach, where we go every summer.
In my downtime, which is limited as a mom of two boys and a pup, I tune in to watch my favorite sports teams, Go Yankees and Go Cowboys – yes, I am a Cowboys fan living in Connecticut. I am also the biggest fan of my boys, watching from the sideline during their year-round sporting events.
Do you have a secret talent, favorite hobby, or pastime?
Growing up in a very tight-knit Italian family, I learned all the family recipes passed down for generations, including my grandmother’s coveted Sunday sauce. When I am in my kitchen, cheffing up family recipes and even creating some of my own, cooking is my “me-time”, especially when paired with a nice glass of wine.
What is your favorite part of your role with First County Bank?
Working in the residential lending department of First County Bank for over 15, I learned the importance of developing connections with my clients, instead of just knowing them by their loan number. I take pride in being a source of knowledge for my clients by providing a comprehensive overview of the mortgage approval process, helping them with referrals to relators and attorneys, answering questions on the current market environment, or even telling them about government programs they may be eligible for as a first-time homebuyer.
Do you have a favorite First County Bank moment? This can be any moment at the Bank that has made an impact on your life.
It’s hard for me to narrow down one favorite moment in the years I have been with First County Bank, as there are so many. One thing that does come to mind is working with all the great people here, especially my former mentor Dave Zamary. Dave took me under his wing and showed me the ropes of the business. I worked with him my entire career here. He taught me such valuable information including how to network with our partners, the importance of staying on top of industry guidelines, and the positive impact timely communication has on our clients. I am very appreciative of what I learned from my mentor and my fellow First County Bank colleagues.
What can your clients come to you for?
My clients know they can come to me for advice and guidance on their mortgage needs. They know I will be by their side from start to finish, answering all their questions along the way, and easing their minds as they make this important financial decision.
