New business profile: Transcontinental Lending

Who knew locking your keys in your car could lead to a new career?

It did, for George (Jorge) Allen of Blount County more than two years ago. Allen, while working as an automotive sales associate in West Knoxville, locked his keys in a car while running an errand and had to wait in a mortgage broker’s parking lot for a locksmith. Secretaries at the office wondered why Allen was standing in the parking lot in the middle of December,
so the broker walked out and struck up a conversation.

In two weeks the broker had hired him, and Allen got his start in the mortgage industry. In March, he opened a branch of Transcontinental Lending Group at Preservation Plaza in downtown Maryville. Allen said he has tried to be a quick study to learn "the craft" of the mortgage industry.

"I know I have a limit amount of time in business. I surround myself with good people who have integrity," Allen said.
The company also tries to partner with local realtors to offer a full line of services to clients.

Jon Powell is a senior loan officer on staff. "Whenever a new person comes in and wants to get pre-approved for a loan, we can take care of everything from A to Z," he said.

Chris Cave, operations manager, said TLG is working hard to create satisfied customers.

"I would rather help 10 customers and make them clients for life and make a smaller fee and have satisfied clients who are referring," he said. "If you have steady flow of qualified applicants, we don’t have to charge as much."

Allen said customers should expect good service from TLG. "Bottom line, you treat people like you want to be treated, tell them the truth and do a good job and that customer will be with you for life," he said.

Reach Transcontinental Lending Group on the web at www.tlgknox.com; by phone at 865-560-2056 and in person at Suite 415, East Broadway Ave., Maryville, Tenn., 37804.