This issue’s advertiser profile interview is with Clint Elliott, assistant VP and mortgage consultant in the residential lending department at Union Bank on the corner of NE Fremont and 24th. In addition to his responsibilities at the bank, Clint serves on the Beaumont Business Association (BBA) board.
Where did you grow up, and what were your interests as a kid?
Clint grew up in the desert heat of Tucson, Arizona, but that never slowed him down. He was an ardent athlete engaging in an array of sports and an avid motorcyclist taking advantage of the natural terrain. (“There are a ton of great places to ride there!”).
When did you decide to become a banker and why?
The catalyst for Clint’s career path epiphany was a good friend whose enthusiasm for helping people realize their dreams of home ownership made a lasting impression: “He loved it so much that I decided that I had to give it a try, and he was right! Sixteen years later, it is an honor helping people get the keys to their dream home. Home ownership represents so many different things to so many different people, and it is amazing to get to be a part of that journey.”
What drew you to work at Union Bank?
It was an easy decision for Clint, having done his personal banking at Union Bank for many years, during which the quality, variety, and affordability of services stood out above the rest for him: “We are a great regional bank, just named ‘Best of the West’ by Kiplinger’s magazine! I love the loan programs and great rates that I am able to offer clients because we loan our own money.”
What do you enjoy most about working where you do?
Living in northeast Portland, Clint gets satisfaction from being able to serve as a resource to his friends and neighbors in the community. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that his bank office is just across the street from the popular Lucca restaurant: “Everyone in Northeast knows right where we are, which makes me easy to find!”
What are your interests away from work?
Free time is a precious commodity for Clint, and for him there’s no better way to spend it than with his wife and three children, ages 12, 16, and 19: “We are always up to something, whether it be fishing, golfing, or doing projects around the house… never a shortage of things to do!”
What motivated you to join the BBA Board, and what do you hope to see accomplished for the Beaumont Business District?
Clint volunteered to be on the BBA board to help contribute to the evolution of Fremont Street as a nexus for social activity and retail vitality: “I joined because I wanted to be involved in making the Beaumont Business District a place where the community wants to come, hang out, and get to know each other. The thing I love about Portland is that there are so many micro towns within the city that people can walk or ride their bikes to. They can spend time with their friends and family, get to know the shopkeepers at their favorite places, and feel connected. Fremont Street embodies that spirit, and it’s amazing to be a small part of that. I hope to continue what those before me have started and make our district the talk of the town!”