Women in Mortgage Spotlight
Cathy Recto
Mortgage Recruiter
“That I always did the right thing even when it wasn’t the easiest.”
From wholesale lending and originating to mortgage recruiting, Cathy’s career has been rooted in listening, trust, and helping people find a better path. As she begins retirement, she reflects on the relationships that endure and the importance of doing the right thing.
How did you find your way into mortgage recruiting, and what kept you connected to this work over the years?
A friend of mine called me in 2015 and asked if I would consider a different type of sales in mortgage. At the time I was an Account Executive in Wholesale Lending. I worked for her at Rate thinking I would give it a try.
As you look back on your career, what are you most proud of?
Being able to help people by putting them in a better position with their career and their life.
Is there a person you helped or a relationship you built that reminds you why this work mattered?
Yes, I have a background in recruiting, as a loan officer and as a wholesale account executive. In all 3 positions I’ve had clients contact me years later and thank me for helping them. It truly means a lot, and it feels so good to hear this.
What did recruiting teach you about listening, building trust, and understanding what people truly need?
If you don’t listen, prove you can be trusted and take the time to understand, you will never be able to hire or help anyone.
What was one of the most challenging chapters of your career, and what helped you through it?
After working on a big branch for over 8 months to come on board, they signed, equipment was sent, and then the day they were all supposed to start they backed out and decided to stay where they were all working. It was a big letdown. They were offered retention bonuses to stay. What I learned is you’re going to invest your time in people in this business that may never end up working with you, and that’s okay. It allowed me to help prevent it from happening ever again.
As a woman in the mortgage industry, what helped you find your voice and grow into the professional you became?
Advice that was given to me in this industry at a young age, and I preach it myself now: “Never tear another down, especially your competition and especially women tearing down other women. With how hard it is to make it in the working world, you must honor each other.” Best advice ever given to me.
What would you tell your younger self as she was beginning her career?
Don’t go to a new employer just for the money.
What advice would you pass along to the next generation of mortgage recruiters?
Stay in touch, not by email or text but by telephone and/or in person if you can, with all of your contacts that could be potential candidates and even the ones you hired.
With retirement still so new, how does this transition feel, and what are you looking forward to making room for?
The transition feels good. It’s nice to have the day to explore other things that you are capable of that you didn’t even know you had. I am looking forward to volunteer work, taking better care of myself and of course never losing touch with the people I know in the industry because I find I miss it and could very well be back for more.
What do you hope your legacy will be, both in the mortgage industry and in the lives of the people you’ve connected with along the way?
That I always did the right thing even when it wasn’t the easiest.