PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Merle Atkinson
https://www.ColumbineMortgage.com
I offer my clients a different approach to the mortgage business – one that is informed by 20+ years of professional experience with a focus on clear communication and practical analytics. I started my professional career as an engineer at Ford Motor Company and later transitioned from engineering to finance when I joined Lehman Brothers’ Investment Banking Division. I came to Denver when I was invited to join the leadership team of Lehman’s flagship mortgage company, Aurora Loan Services, launching my career in residential mortgage financing.
With each of my clients, I start by listening and thoughtfully considering their financial objectives. We then move on to explore options together, review scenarios and evaluate trade-offs. I am proactive through the process and work to maintain consistently clear communication from start to finish. I believe my genuine, transparent approach resonates with all types of homebuyers, and helps ensure my clients develop a level of understanding that allows them to make decisions confidently.
After growing up in a small steel town outside of Pittsburgh PA, I spent several years working in the Midwest and on the East Coast before moving to Denver in 2005 with my wife and our (now) two children. I hold a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE
Five Star Professional conducts market-specific research throughout the U.S. to identify service professionals who demonstrate professional excellence and provide quality services to their clients. The Five Star Mortgage Professional program is the largest and most widely published award program for mortgage professionals in North America, covering more than 40 major markets. Five Star award winners do not pay a fee to be included in the research or on the final list of award winners.
The Five Star Professional research team contacted thousands of recent homebuyers, consumers and industry leaders to identify Denver-area mortgage professionals who stand out in their industry and community.
To learn more about the research methodology, click here.
