Deborah Stafford

Role
National Retail Mortgage Sales Director at Citizens
Location
Raleigh, NC, US
LinkedIn followers
500 followers

About Deborah Stafford

Deborah Stafford is a highly accomplished Mortgage Banking Executive with 20+ years of leadership experience driving revenue growth, operational excellence, and transformational outcomes in the financial services industry. Renowned for her ability to lead high-performing teams and deliver strategic solutions, she consistently achieves measurable success by aligning business goals with innovative strategies and customer-centric approaches. As a National Retail Mortgage Sales Director at Citizens Bank, Deborah oversees a 300-person team, achieving extraordinary results during a volatile financial market. Under her leadership, mortgage funding increased 14% on a year-over-year basis and wealth referrals surged 400% while reinforcing synergies between mortgage and wealth management domains. Her expertise in branch optimization and process enhancements doubled lead-to-application conversion rates, significantly improving operational efficiency and customer engagement. Deborah’s career is defined by her results-oriented approach to P&L management, team development, and strategic growth initiatives. She spearheaded business development efforts that generated $423M in new deposits and investments while mitigating risks through robust compliance frameworks and secondary market strategies (Citizens Bank). Her ability to identify high-impact opportunities and implement targeted retention programs has been instrumental in attracting top talent and fostering a culture of excellence across cross-functional departments. Recognized for her adaptability and visionary leadership, Deborah navigates economic shifts with precision and agility. She addressed challenges in the secondary market by driving MSR retention and building recruitment pipelines, ensuring long-term stability and success. She earned prestigious accolades based on dedication to continuous improvement and business success, including the Citizens of Excellence Award and the Winner’s Circle Award—placing her among the top-performing leaders in the organization. Committed to servant leadership and strategic vision, Deborah empowers multi-functional teams to exceed performance targets while transforming challenges into opportunities. She leverages technology-driven solutions and designs impactful marketing campaigns to enhance customer experiences and drive sustainable growth. Her ability to integrate financial strategy with innovative practices positions her as a trusted advisor for organizations striving to achieve operational excellence, increase market share, and foster enduring success.

Experience

  1. National Retail Mortgage Sales Director

    Citizens

    Sep 2023 — Present · Raleigh, NC, US

Education

  • Consumer Bankers Association Executive Banking School

    ********* ******* — ****** ********* *****, *-***** ********

    2023 — 2025

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Deborah Stafford — National Retail Mortgage Sales Director at Citizens in Raleigh, NC, US | Unifers