This year, we are celebrating the 25th business anniversary of Personal Choice Mortgage Services, a member of the VERICO network for 16 years. Mary Carey, Principal Broker and Founder of Personal Choice, shared with us her memories and milestones in her 35 years of career in the mortgage industry, and told us why she continued to partner with VERICO for the last 16 years.
Mary Carey is a lifetime professional in the financial industry, with 35 years of experience in the mortgage broker field. Mary began her “banking” career working with a local Hamilton Credit Union (McMaster C.U.), where she had hands on opportunity to explore all facets of the operation. Mary then moved on to The Royal Bank of Canada as a Loans Officer. While working at RBC, Mary set out to hone her skills and continue her education completing her final course at Queens University attaining the Fellow, Institute of Canadian Bankers (F.I.CB) accreditation.
Mary then saw an opportunity to expand into the burgeoning mortgage broker field and worked with some of Hamilton’s well-known mortgage broker firms. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a vision for the future, Mary established Personal Choice Mortgage Services in 1997.
Personal Choice is a family affair with a personal touch. The team includes Charlie, her husband, and Megan, her daughter who is Mary’s proudest accomplishment. Not only actively involved as a mortgage broker, Megan is also taking on an integral role in the future growth of Personal Choice. Mary and her team have a passion for the business and the clients they serve.
What are some standout memories or milestones that have been highlights over the last 35 years of business?
“We are one of the first in our area to successfully pioneer an “in-house” Mortgage Brokerage concept with one of the largest RE/MAX operations in Ontario with 5 locations (plus a Sutton office), with over 20 mortgage agents.
I am honored to have received acknowledgement from my peers by being ranked as one of the top ten Mortgage Brokers in Canada year after year.
I have earned recognition from the Hamilton Spectator newspaper as “Top Mortgage Broker” for over 10 consecutive years
The most memorable aspect over this period is happening now as we speak, as we transition our operation going forward with our daughter Megan taking the lead into the next phase.” says Mary.
Why have you continued to partner with VERICO?
“When we initially joined VERICO, there were different motives and unique forces that prompted our decision, such as volume bonus, lender respect and pressure from the Super Brokers to name a few. We continue to partner with VERICO because we have always wanted to maintain our independence, have control over our own destiny, but lean on VERICO for their unique tools and offerings. They are there for us whenever needed!” says Mary.
