Lyons Leadership

As a practice, I like to keep my business dealings honest and open.  There has never been a point that I have ever considered doing something crooked or shady - that is just who I am.  In some cases this may mean that I do not get the deal or miss out on some opportunities - but at least I can sleep at night.

So this past week I was at the bank talking to my loan officer about loans.  You see, I was looking for the lowest rate mortgage they could offer me - as I was buying a few new investment properties.

Now I have been banking here for a number of years and they treat me pretty well.  I can usually get a mortgage at less than the going rate of interest, and my approvals are a little quicker than the average person’s rate.  So when Steve (the loan officer) came out to greet me, he had a weird look on his face.  He asked me to come in his office and sit down.

"Before we do this loan application, I just want to let you know that we cannot offer you the lowest rate.  I checked with our competitors and you could get a slightly lower rate than the best rate we can offer - and if you would like to know where you can get this, I will tell you."

Now, I must have had a stunned look on my face.  I know I have been working with Steve for the past five years or so and he has been taking good care of me and my investments.  But I was shocked at his honesty - most bankers wouldn’t take the time or even mention that there were lower rates out there.

I decided then and there that since I had come to him, and he had been up front and honest with me he would still get my business.  Sure, my return would have been a little higher with a lower interest rate, but I was buying this property because it would have a good return anyway.

We filled out the papers and I thanked him for his honesty.  I also told him as I left, if he ever wanted a different career, that he should stop by the office - my organization is always looking for people of his caliber.