At Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Home Loans, we are incredibly proud of our people. We recognize and celebrate the passion our team members have for the important work they do, their dedication to exceptional client service, and their inspiring involvement in the communities we serve. We want you to know our people too. Read on for our first installment of a new blog series that spotlights our hardworking employees.

Don’s interest in banking and finance really began as a family affair.

“My grandparents raised me and my grandfather was very into stocks, bonds and annuities,” Don said. “He would follow the stock market by reading the newspaper and he took me to seminars, and introduced me to people in that world.”

In high school, Don took accounting classes and financial management courses. He quickly learned this skillset came easy to him and he loved the people aspect of the field. As Don moved on to college in New York, he focused his studies on finance and soon took a part-time job as a bank teller in Rochester. That first position was his foot in the door and, over the years, he impressively worked his way up from full-time bank teller to financial services representative, assistant branch manager, and finally to branch manager.

After relocating to Louisiana, Don began working in the mortgage loan industry - first with Beneficial Finance until its acquisition and later to Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Investar Bank. He learned the ins and outs of the appraisal process, title writing, mortgage origination - and most importantly, working closely with his clients to educate, advise, and guide them throughout the loan application process.

Don joined Gulf Coast Bank & Trust’s Home Loans Division in 2014. As a mortgage loan officer, he works closely with clients, guiding them in some of the biggest purchases they will ever make in their lives. He primarily handles origination of loans for residential purchases, refinancing, and construction loans using Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, Jumbo and ARM loan options.

“I really love working in new construction lending and helping my clients keep the process simple and stress-free,” Don said, adding that it’s fascinating watching a house build - and a client’s dream - go from start to finish. “I’m proud I can be an integral part of making my clients’ dreams come true,” he said.

Don also enjoys partnering with first-time homebuyers looking for guidance and educating them on common myths that may hold them back from purchasing a home. “There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what’s needed for homeownership, from thinking you need a hefty down payment to having perfect credit or that other types of ‘good debt’ can affect your approval for a mortgage,” he said. “I like helping clarify and correct those trains of thought and helping instill confidence and comfort in my clients as they make what’s often the biggest purchase of their lives.”

Don also frequently works with rural development loans and has taken a deep interest in rural lending in Denham Springs and the surrounding rural communities. “With much of this area classified as eligible for rural development, many of my clients are looking for affordable homeownership opportunities that can also improve the quality of their community and help them achieve the American Dream of owning their own home,” Don said.

A baseball player in high school and college (he even tried out for the Minor Leagues), Don has been a T-ball and baseball coach for over a decade. He took a special interest in coaching teams when each of his two sons began playing baseball.

Now, coaching is a hobby and a passion that provides him respite, inspiration, the rewarding chance to mentor kids, and precious quality time with his sons.

“I love watching my players’ faces light up when they get a hit and they’re on base dancing and cheering,” Don said. “They realize it’s because of all of their practice and hard work. It is an amazing and rewarding experience.”

Don’s experience as a baseball coach has also guided and supplemented his experience in serving his loan clients.

“In baseball, I want to inspire my players to grow, to gain skills and expertise, and to understand the game and how it might be a metaphor for life,” Don said. “In my business, I strive to grow my relationships with clients beyond the office, in addition to being their ‘expert on hand’ for mortgages. I want them to see me not just as their loan officer, but as a fellow champion of their financial goals throughout their lives.”

Are you a Denham Springs or Baton Rouge-area resident with a dream of owning your own home?

When you’ve found the ‘one’ and you’re ready to apply for a loan, get in touch with Don McPherson or any of our loan officers for help in determining the best loan program for your unique needs. We’ll show you all of your options in financing and partner with you for guidance every step of the way.

We are the bank that cares about you and we make mortgage loans easy!