Our Kitsap Biz Directory
Blogspot Feature: Commercial Lender-Debi Brooks-Givens of Columbia Bank
Interview by Sheryl Kenney
Over the past couple of years as the real estate market has
been recovering, we have seen Silverdale grow and office space and business vacancies
decline. Many major retailers have come to Silverdale- the Commercial center
for Kitsap County. Among the retailers, we have Trader Joes, Panera Bread, Costco,
etc. and in October, REI will be opening. Attracting new business to Kitsap is a
good sign for us of an improving economy.
Commercial real estate is the sector of real estate that
includes retail, industrial, office building or large scale multi-family
communities. Some of the phases of commercial real estate include development,
construction, leasing, management and brokerage.
I had the opportunity recently to speak with one of Kitsap
County’s premier Commercial lenders, Debi
Brooks-Givens of Columbia Bank. www.columbiabank.com
Debi’s forte’ is helping our commercial sector. She makes business loans, home equity loans, personal loans, lines of credit, and many sizes of commercial loans- anything over 4 units to several million dollars. As a Commercial lender, she has facilitated nearly everything.
Her
Background: Debi credits great mentors with her growth in the
industry. Debi began her career in Marketing and Sales, then joined the
Banking industry 24 years ago. She first starting off processing credit
cards and then joined Loan Review / Special Assets departments moving
through Portfolio Management and Correspondent Banking before arriving
in Commercial Lending. She started at Puget Sound Bank in Tacoma, which
was purchased by Key Bank and eventually moved to American Marine Bank
(closer to home) which was acquired by Columbia Bank, where she works
today.
Her Unique Skills:
Debi is known for her listening
skills. She thinks outside of the
box. Her clients may start off not
knowing exactly what their need is, but she listens well and is a
problem
solver with a wealth of information. Sometimes she sees that she needs
to
recommend a new avenue for a start- up business, or recommends speaking
with a
CPA because of certain tax consequences in a particular business plan.
Debi’s diverse experience and wisdom with
various situations enables her to come up with creative solutions to
situations. She asks the unique questions. Her interest and help has
been the key to her
clients trust and growth of her business. She goes the extra mile for
her customers and
that makes all the difference.
If you need a Commercial lender, stop in to see Debi and
talk to her about your plans. It could
make all the difference for you.
Sincerely, Sheryl
Debi Brooks-Givens
Commercial Banking Officer
Silverdale Branch
360-662-8217
