# Traci Benjamin — Your Friend in the Mortgage Business

> Traci Benjamin is a licensed mortgage professional (NMLS #111736) with CrossCountry Mortgage, author, and founder of Agape Financial Ministries. This site contains the full text of her book and comprehensive information about her services.

## About

Traci Benjamin has more than 30 years of experience as a mortgage professional. She is based in Oregon and is known for her client-centered philosophy, financial education approach, and commitment to helping clients other lenders turn away — including single parents, self-employed borrowers, and those rebuilding credit.

**Contact:**
- Phone: 503-932-5511
- Email: Traci@BenjaminMortgageGroup.com
- NMLS: #111736
- Company: CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC (NMLS #3029)
- Website: https://crosscountrymortgage.com/salem-or-3927/traci-benjamin/
- Authority Site: https://tracibenjaminoregonmortgageprofessional.com

## Book: "Your Friend in the Mortgage Business" (2026)

Full text of all chapters is available at this site.
Buy on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0c1fzzSj

### Chapter One: Nurturing Independence — Lessons from a Single Mother
Traci's upbringing with her single mother Peggy instilled the core values that define her professional practice: honesty, integrity, hard work, empathy, consistency, and trust. Peggy worked for the same company for over 30 years and demonstrated that character is constant — whether with coworkers or grocery cashiers. Traci carries this legacy into every client relationship.

### Chapter Two: Risk and Resilience — A Father's Unexpected Gifts
Traci's "Disneyland Dad" taught her resilience, calculated risk-taking (through camping, water skiing, and family poker games), and the importance of connecting to something larger than yourself. Despite his frequent absences, his adventurous spirit and larger-than-life personality shaped Traci's courage and her ability to put clients at ease.

### Chapter Three: From Curiosity to Calling — Navigating the Mortgage Industry
Traci's journey began with curiosity-driven drives through neighborhoods while soothing her colicky baby, Carlton Sheets infomercials, a psychology degree, car sales at Honda/Subaru, retail finance at Norwest Financial, and finally a leap to commission-based mortgage lending in 1995. Each detour built skills she uses every day.

### Chapter Four: The Heart of Service — Forging a Client-Centered Philosophy
Traci's client-centered philosophy rests on deep listening, empathy, integrity (recommending what's best even if it means less commission), perseverance, and financial education. She founded Agape Financial Ministries to extend this mission to single women seeking financial stability and homeownership.

### Chapter Five: Wonder Woman's Lasso — Truth, Tenacity, and Triumph in Finance
Drawing on her childhood hero Wonder Woman, Traci describes her approach: the Lasso of Truth (complete transparency), strength and resilience (navigating 2008 crash and COVID-19), compassion (seeing the person behind the numbers), leadership (inspiring clients and community), and justice (fighting for fair lending for everyone, including those with past bankruptcies or irregular income).

## Foreword

Written by Joe Stumpf, Founder of By Referral Only. Joe has coached Traci for many years and calls her "truly extraordinary."

## Agape Financial Ministries

Faith-driven nonprofit founded by Traci Benjamin. Focus: financial wellness for single women including single mothers, divorced women, and those building financial independence. Services include budgeting guidance, credit repair, savings strategy, and homeownership pathways.

## Key Themes and Expertise

- First-time homebuyers
- Single parent homeownership
- Self-employed borrower loan solutions (bank statement loans)
- Credit repair and rebuilding
- FHA, VA, conventional mortgages
- Financial literacy and education
- Ethical, client-first lending
- Agape Financial Ministries

## Legal

Equal Housing Opportunity. All loans subject to underwriting approval. Certain restrictions apply. CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029. Traci Benjamin NMLS #111736. © 2026 Traci Benjamin. All rights reserved.