At RBank, the mortgage team sees their role as more than numbers and paperwork. It’s about creating smoother paths for families to plant roots and thrive in their communities.
RBank emphasizes customer service as its defining trait. Loan officers keep clients updated at every step and lean on technology to make the process easier.
“In the mortgage industry, the only thing that sets a bank apart is its service,” Director of Mortgage Michelle Bubela said.
That commitment is local and personal, especially in Georgetown. Loan officers live in the same towns where they work, so their community involvement, whether in schools, youth sports or local events, helps them connect with clients on a deeper level.
Recognizing gaps in the market, the bank has expanded offerings in recent years. One of the biggest additions is a down payment assistance program launched less than a year ago. It provides up to 5% down, often allowing first-time buyers to purchase a home with little or no out-of-pocket costs.
Specialized programs such as Homes for Texas Heroes extend this support to teachers, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and janitors and paraprofessionals working in local schools.
Mike Ramirez, who oversees commercial lending, noted why these programs matter.
“Home buying is frankly the most intimate, sensitive thing our clients deal with,” Ramirez said. “It affects everyone’s daily lives.”
The impact of these programs comes to life in the stories behind them. Bubela shared how one client, determined to move his mother out of an apartment after 19 years, used a U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, loan to make homeownership possible. With no down payment and guidance on improving his credit, he secured a house where he could care for her—and finally give their 15-year-old dog a yard.
“Things like that really keep me going during bad days,” Bubela said.
The team also helps clients strengthen their financial footing. While they don’t offer credit repair, they use tools to illustrate how paying down balances or adjusting spending can raise credit scores and improve loan terms.
“We help people look at the bigger picture,” Bubela said.
Trust often carries across generations. Michelle recently heard from a former client who wanted her daughter to work with the bank for her first purchase.
“She said, ‘I really want her to come to you, because you’re a mom. You’re going to help her, you’re going to hold her hand and you’re going to make the process a lot smoother,’” Bubela said.
For Ramirez, this is the heart of their work.
“To be a Community Bank, we have to be able to bank the entire community, and that means being able to provide all types of products,” Ramirez said. “First-time home buying is such an incredible achievement; for us to be a part of that journey is very rewarding and keeps bringing us back.”
At RBank, the mortgage team sees each loan not just as a transaction, but as an opportunity to help families build lasting foundations—one home and one community at a time.
Click here to learn more about RBank’s mortgage department today.
Georgetown location:
- 405 S. Austin Avenue, Georgetown
