The Ferguson Credit Union Mortgage and Business Center is ready to help you purchase your forever home, open your first business or take your business to the next level.
The Mortgage and Business Center, located at 609 High School Avenue, offers a variety of services that are unrivaled in Marion County. Being a non-profit credit union, Manager AJ Russell said Ferguson’s goal is to serve people and make sure they are getting the best rate possible.
“We want to make sure they’re not limited to what a credit score is. We’re here to grow business services and provide more services to business owners. That way they’re able to grow their business,” Russell said. “Whether that’s from merchant services or providing adult education, whatever we can do in the community is our goal.
“My team here is dedicated to providing a seamless process to whatever that is. For a mortgage or construction loan, we make sure we let you understand what we’re doing so you’re more educated on the process and not stressed. That way you’re able to confidently do what you’re doing.”
Ferguson services everyone from individuals to business owners to first-time home buyers.
Russell started with Ferguson six years ago as a teller in Columbia, worked his way up to the mortgage services in Tylertown and came back to Columbia as the manager of Mortgage and Business Services when it opened Oct. 5, 2022. The teller services branch then moved from High School Avenue to 519A U.S. 98.
Russell is joined on High School Avenue by Anywhere Specialist Erika Holmes and Mortgage and Business Services Specialist Bambi White.
“They are ambitious and driven to deliver a top-tier member service,” Russell said. “We want you to feel like we’re here under any circumstance, regardless if you just have questions or you’re panicking. We’re here to provide peace of mind.”
The Ferguson Anywhere app allows members to text or FaceTime from anywhere through a secure network to get answers in real time from a real employee.
“You can check on your account and do loans through the app,” Russell said. “We’re trying to lead the community in providing financial services in the new age of technology.”
Not only is Ferguson helping the younger generation by being more accessible through the app, it has three in-school branches, including at Columbia High School with the Wildcat Credit Union. The in-school branches provide students who intern there with scholarships, teach financial literacy and provide community service opportunities. Ferguson also has branches at Lawrence County and Jeff Davis County high schools.
In the short term, Russell said he wants to get Ferguson’s name out there and get people familiar with all the different things offered.
“We’re actually wanting to change the game and change the stereotype of a mortgage and business loan. A lot of people get intimidated by it, but it’s nothing intimidating. It’s just like buying a car,” he said. “If you select an institution with a group of people willing to help you and willing to make it not so intimidating, you get a better all-around experience.”
Long term, Russell said the Mortgage and Business Center wants to help the community grow through its services.
“Community is family. If you don’t have community, you’re not going to grow,” Russell said.
The Ferguson Credit Union Mortgage and Business Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday. It can be contacted at (601) 806-3328, Ext. 8006.
