Jeremy Davis, President of Mortgage at Southern Bancorp, is a transformative leader redefining market outreach in the housing industry. Under his leadership, Southern Bancorp, a $3 billion CDFI and B-Corp, has expanded mortgage production fivefold and entered six new underserved markets, earning the 2024 MBA Leadership Award for Market Outreach Strategies. Davis’s approach seamlessly blends profit with purpose-driven lending, demonstrating sustainability and scalability.
Davis launched the H.O.M.E. Initiative (Harnessing Opportunities for Mortgage Equity), providing mission-driven deposit options to address homeownership gaps. This includes multilingual outreach, ITIN lending, culturally fluent underwriting, and forgivable down payment assistance, aiding over 1,000 underserved borrowers. His efforts have resulted in 65% of borrowers being minorities and 75% from LMI households.
A three-time MBA Leadership Award recipient, Davis is a thought leader reshaping industry outreach. His frameworks, like “Barbershops, Pulpits, & Corner Stores,” advocate for authentic, community-based lending. Davis also mentors future mortgage leaders who reflect underserved communities.
Within Southern Bancorp, Davis has aligned production growth with maintaining a sub-$200K average loan size and advancing minority and LMI borrower support. Initiatives such as HomeRise100 and Revive25 DPA illustrate his dedication to affordable homeownership.
Beyond metrics, Davis fosters diversity and representation, leading a team with 67% women and over 50% minorities. He has revitalized LO recruiting, implemented cultural underwriting training, and established grassroots referral networks, demonstrating a commitment to community empowerment and inclusivity.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Do something you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life. Best advice ever! Find your purpose, your passion and the work energizes you beyond the boundaries of your physical body or mind.
Name:
Jeremy Davis
Title:
President of Mortgage
Company Name:
Southern Bancorp Bank