Dakotaland Federal Credit Union’s Mortgage Lending Department welcomes Leslie tenBensel to the team as she fills the new Mortgage Sales & Success Manager position stationed out of the Watertown Branch. “Leslie and I have collaborated on many levels professionally over the years. I believe she beings a great perspective and has a vast knowledge of mortgage lending which is a true asset to Dakotaland. I’m excited to have her as an in-house resource for my team”, stated Sarah Senska, Chief Mortgage Officer.
tenBensel resides in Webster, South Dakota, but was born and raised in Nebraska. Leslie attended both Western Nebraska Community College and Chadron State College earning an Associate degree, a Bachelor degree, and a Masters, all in Business Administration.
Forming her first impressions of home lending came close to home, as Leslie shared her mother was a mortgage lender and still works in the industry today. “I remember going to her place of work when I was young and being very interested in what she did and how she helped people”, claimed tenBensel. Leslie began working at a real estate company when in high school and loved going to open houses and assisted in gathering appraisal information at the courthouse. Leslie later completed a college internship with USDA Rural Development where she helped take applications, met with borrowers, sent verifications, and provided credit guidance to borrowers to assist them in purchasing a home. “The success stories of homeownership were the most rewarding part of the internship and still what drives my interest in the industry,” she claims. In regard to filling the Sales & Success Manager position on Dakotaland’s Mortgage Team, Leslie believes having a good cohesive team at the end of the day who are all working toward the same goal for the borrower will be the most exciting and rewarding part of her new career.
Leslie’s husband, Tyler, of 13 years and she are the parents to 5 labrador retriever dogs. They enjoy snowmobiling, hunting, traveling, taking on house projects, and spending time with family.
Dakotaland Federal Credit Union has locations in Huron, Volga, Brookings, Madison, Redfield, Aberdeen, De Smet, Mitchell, Watertown, and Woonsocket. With over 45,000 members and $645 million in assets, Dakotaland continues to be locally owned and operated offering a full line of financial services to its membership since 1935.
