Smeralda Strataj
New Port Richey,FL
Summary
Dynamic and result-driven management professional with experience in the banking industry. Proven track of successfully managing several branch locations, leading teams, and driving revenue growth. Skilled in developing and executing strategies to improve operational efficiency , customer experience, and employee engagement. Adept at leveraging financial analytics to identify business opportunities and mitigate risk.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Branch Manager
JPMorgan Chase
Clearwater, FL
01.2024 - Current
- Direct all aspects of branch operations, grow the deposits and investments of the branch, and coach bankers and associate bankers.
- Responsible for creating an environment that influences the use of technology to meet the customers’ needs of today and the future, through collaboration with our partners in Chase Wealth Management, Business Banking, and Home Lending, to provide a seamless experience for our customers.
- Ability to set the tone of the branch to provide an exceptional customer experience, and a dynamic, engaging culture.
- Outstanding leadership experience with a proven, successful record of coaching and empowering employees to improve results.
- Ability to organize and manage competing priorities effectively across branch locations, while developing plans for growth.
- Experience creating and maintaining a strong risk and control environment, with a demonstrated commitment to operational integrity and policies.
- Ability to work branch hours, including weekends and evenings.
- High school degree, GED, or foreign equivalent.
- Educates clients on how to use our digital platforms to bank and invest when, where, and how they want.
- Builds partnerships with local businesses to build the brand in the local market area through strong community involvement.
- Creates an environment that encourages team members to provide an exceptional customer experience, and a dynamic and engaging culture.
- Actively identifies, coaches, develops, motivates, and supports employees so that they can provide superior service to every customer.
- Promotes a strong control environment to evaluate, manage, and conduct new and existing business by adhering to risk/control expectations, procedures, and processes.
- Leverages and understands the generated Branch Scorecard to identify strategies to successfully grow deposits & investments for the branch
Branch Manager
Truist Bank
Dunedin, FL
04.2023 - 12.2023
- Promote a positive public image in the community, and instill the Purpose, Mission, and Values in the team, in support of the Truist culture.
- Drive the business development of the branch to deliver both strong team performance and strong individual performance through personal productivity in the areas of Truist strategy, including but not limited to Small Business, Mass Affluent, Community Heroes, and Integrated Relationship Management (IRM) partnership.
- Drive branch revenue through small business development and new client strategies. Drive the growth of small business expertise through branch routines of face-to-face appointments with clients, outbound calling, and prospecting, as well as the growth of mass affluent through face-to-face appointments and outbound calling.
- Participation, as reviewed and approved in the market, in civic, government, professional, business, community affairs, associations, and groups, to prospect and develop new business through community involvement and building the Truist brand.
- Responsible for successfully executing the branch engagement routines by leading, growing, coaching, and motivating teammates to fulfill the Purpose, Mission, and Values for clients' financial success and team empowerment.
- Partnership with Integrated Relationship Management (IRM) and Operations partners. Partner with the area operations officer to ensure compliance with bank procedures, internal controls, risk management, and the Truist Code of Ethics, and ensure that all required training is successfully completed by the entire team. Proactively collaborate with all IRM and key line-of-business partners to lead and promote a One Team culture within the branch through One Team/Business Partnerships.
- Responsible for human capital decisions, including interviewing, selection, hiring, workforce scheduling, development planning, annual performance reviews, ratings, and performance counseling, including disciplinary actions, for all members of the branch team.
Senior Relationship Banker
Truist Bank
Bellaire Bluffs, FL
11.2019 - 03.2023
- Responsible for providing an industry-leading client service experience, both in person and on the phone, through the development and expansion of new and existing client relationships.
- Provides financial solutions that meet client needs, based on consultative conversations, and referrals to other business partners for additional business growth opportunities.
- Exercises advanced proficiency with routine client maintenance requests, problem resolution, and advanced sales functions regarding deposit, credit, convenience, and other product and service lines.
- Contributes to meeting or exceeding client service, as well as individual and branch sales targets, by offering products and services with a focus on developing, expanding, and retaining relationships.
- Supports the team sales process by conducting consultative conversations and acting upon, or referring, more complex client needs or financial goals to other internal specialists.
- Participates fully in all components of the established Truist Retail Community Bank Leadership Routines. Commits to advancing individual knowledge of sales techniques and product knowledge to better serve consumer and business clients by attending sales, service, and product knowledge meetings, applicable training classes, and web-based learning.
- Advises on consumer lending options, and takes loan applications.
- Adheres to internal controls, operational procedures, and risk management policies. Stays informed of all changes in policies and procedures to ensure compliance with current guidelines.
- Ensures a consistent client service experience by engaging clients with smiling, courteous conversation, while conducting transactions, and uncovering needs. This may include handling teller transactions, sharing responsibility for greeting clients, and helping them navigate within the branch.
Loan Officer
Credins Bank
Tirana, Albania
09.2016 - 07.2019
- Maintained current knowledge regarding new laws, regulations, policies, procedures, products, services. related to consumer lending operations.
- Developed and maintained relationships with potential customers to increase loan business.
- Identified opportunities for cross-selling additional products and services.
- Performed quality assurance reviews on all closed loans for compliance purposes.
- Conducted risk analysis to identify potential losses associated with certain loans.
- Assisted in the development of new products and services for loan customers.
- Negotiated terms and conditions of loan contracts.
- Provided customer service support throughout the entire process from application through closing.
- Reviewed credit histories, income statements, and other financial information of loan applicants.
Mortgage Loan Officer
Credins Bank
Tirana, Albania
10.2014 - 09.2016
- Prepared loan documents such as commitment letters, closing statements, promissory notes and deed of trust.
- Reviewed appraisals to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to submission to underwriting department.
- Developed relationships with real estate agents, builders and other referral sources in order to generate business leads.
- Processed new loan applications in accordance with established guidelines.
- Negotiated terms and conditions of loan agreements with borrowers.
- Conducted interviews with prospective clients to gather information regarding loan applications.
- Performed periodic quality control reviews on completed files prior to funding.
- Monitored customer accounts throughout the life cycle of each loan transaction.
- Resolved borrower complaints in a timely manner while providing excellent customer service.
- Analyzed financial data obtained from customers including income, assets and liabilities to determine loan feasibility.
- Educated customers on various aspects of mortgage financing options available.
- Evaluated existing customer accounts for refinancing opportunities or additional services offered by the company.
- Interacted with title companies, attorneys, surveyors and other third parties involved in the loan process.
- Attended industry events and seminars in order to stay abreast of changes in the mortgage banking industry.
- Participated in team meetings, trainings conducted by management staff regarding updates on products, services offered by the company.
- Ensured compliance with all federal, state and local regulations related to mortgage lending.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Bank Management
University "Aleksandër Moisiu"
Durrës10-2014
Skills
- Branch operations
- Customer experience
- Team leadership
- Sales strategy
- Risk management
- Financial products
- Market analysis
- Sales professional
- Business development
- Excellent time management skills
- Risk mitigation
- Financial services
- Strategic planning
- Security and safety protocols
- Policy formulation
- Staff development
- Sales expertise
- Financial advising
- Revenue generation
- Project management
- Team supervision
- Relationship building
Languages
English
Full Professional
Greek
Native/ Bilingual
Albanian
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Limited
Italian
Limited
Certification
- Notary Public
- NMLS ID: 2271720
Timeline
Branch Manager
JPMorgan Chase
01.2024 - Current
Branch Manager
Truist Bank
04.2023 - 12.2023
Senior Relationship Banker
Truist Bank
11.2019 - 03.2023
Loan Officer
Credins Bank
09.2016 - 07.2019
Mortgage Loan Officer
Credins Bank
10.2014 - 09.2016
Bachelor of Science - Bank Management
University "Aleksandër Moisiu"