With nearly three decades of residential mortgage lending experience, Bill Kekatos has expertise as a knowledgeable, hands-on originator. “I personally get involved with each loan, and I try to understand all the moving pieces of the transaction, identify the challenges and come up with solutions as early as possible,” says Kekatos, a loan officer at Fifth Third Bank. “I maintain constant communication with borrowers, agents, attorneys and other transaction partners so everyone is up to date with the progress of the transaction. I follow up with my client after the transaction has closed to make sure there are no service issues. I view myself as a long-term partner—I nurture and establish relationships so my client is a client for life.”
Through his 27 years in the industry, Kekatos has developed fluency in all lending programs and has experience in doctor loans, new construction lending and condo financing. Working with both new and seasoned buyers, Kekatos takes a consultative approach, providing one-on-one service rather than relying on processors or assistants. “I try to educate and make the process as easy, smooth and efficient as I can,” he says.
Kekatos leads buyer education seminars, empowering potential clients to pursue their real estate dreams. “It is a very rewarding feeling to enable people to reach their goals,” he says. “My greatest professional achievement is the collection of small wins over the years, a mosaic of success stories in which I was able to make a difference in someone’s life. I pride myself on the high customer satisfaction scores that I receive from our client surveys.”
A graduate of DePaul University, where he earned dual degrees in accounting and financing, Kekatos also has an MBA in managerial leadership from Northern Illinois University. However, he notes that nothing can beat firsthand experience, adding that his ability to foresee problems is the result of his longevity in the field.
A doting family man, Kekatos is the father of two young adults and an attentive son to his Kefalonia Island-based parents. He enjoys scrimshaw carving and indulging his interests in history and geography.
