Jane James
Jane James is a dedicated Loan Officer based in Austin, Texas, with over 35 years of comprehensive experience in the mortgage industry. After decades of working behind the scenes in processing, underwriting, and operations, she recently transitioned into her current role at Home Goal Lending. Jane brings a rare, full-spectrum understanding of the loan lifecycle, having started her career in 1991 as a temporary employee and steadily advancing through roles including shipping, closing, processing, underwriting, and operations management. Her deep technical knowledge allows her to structure loans with precision and guide clients through the process with confidence and clarity.
Throughout her career, Jane has built a reputation for operational excellence and attention to detail. She spent more than two decades with The McMillan Team, where she held leadership roles including Operations Manager and Senior Loan Processor, and also served as an Underwriter with Infinity Mortgage, LLC. Jane has consistently demonstrated her ability to manage complex mortgage applications, ensure regulatory compliance, streamline workflows, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver smooth, timely closings. Her leadership experience includes managing teams, implementing process improvements, and enhancing efficiency through innovative systems and protocols.
Now in a client-facing role, Jane is focused on building strong partnerships and helping individuals and families achieve homeownership—especially those who may have believed it was out of reach. Known for her honesty, work ethic, and problem-solving mindset, she is passionate about making the loan process as seamless and stress-free as possible. As she continues to grow her network and expand her presence in the industry, Jane remains committed to leveraging her decades of expertise to deliver exceptional service and meaningful results for her clients.
• Texas State University
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having a strong work ethic and staying organized. The best career advice I ever got was that if you have the work ethic, you can get anything done. You have to get up every morning and say 'hey, it's a great day' and go forward. I was always told to write down everything you do - make a to-do list and cross it out so that you have accomplished something, and write a to-do list before you quit and keep adding everything. That way you get everything accomplished for the day. I also value helping people achieve their goals. My most valued accomplishment is when I can help someone who thought they would never get a loan. I tell them 'I can help make this work, I can get you that loan' and when they're happy and say 'wow, you got me in my house,' that's what matters most to me. I've been doing this since 1991, starting from the very bottom as a temp, and I met the right people along the way who believed in me and said 'you know what you're doing, you're good at that.' That encouragement and my dedication to getting things done is what has driven my success over 35 years in this business.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is that if you have the work ethic, you can get anything done. You have to get up every morning and say 'hey, it's a great day' and go forward. I was always told to write down everything you do - make a to-do list and cross it out so that you have accomplished something. Write a to-do list before you quit and keep adding everything to it. That way you get everything accomplished for the day. That advice about staying organized and maintaining a positive attitude has been the foundation of my success throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry that you have to go in with a good attitude and don't get discouraged. Sit down and write down your goals, because if you write everything down, you'll get it done. If you let your goals down like a to-do list, you'll get it done. If you don't, you'll be so disorganized you will not get anything done. Just like when you go to Weight Watchers and they tell you to write everything you eat, you have goals you have to do. So I'd say you need to be goal-oriented. Write everything down - whether it's your goals, your to-do list, whatever it is. That's how you stay organized and accomplish what you set out to do in this business.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, my most valued accomplishment is when I can help someone who thought they would never get a loan. I tell them 'I can help make this work, I can get you that loan.' I started back in the day when you didn't have credit scores and you had to sit down with people and write their letters and figure out their income. That's my biggest satisfaction - seeing how happy they are when I tell them 'you got me in my house.' Buying a house is very stressful, so I tell my clients 'I am gonna be your best friend, and I'm gonna tell you what to do. If you do what I tell you what to do, you will get this loan.' I help them understand that if they wanted to borrow $150,000 from someone, wouldn't they want to know all this information too? People get upset and blame you for everything, but you just have to smile and say 'hey, this is how it works, I'm gonna get you to sit back and breathe.' In my personal life, I value family a lot. I have 4 grandchildren who are all 5 years apart, and I love doing stuff with my family. Family is very important to me.