Today we’d like to introduce you to Ray Corado.
Hi Ray, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started in banking in 2001 as a travel teller for a large bank. I didn’t even have a branch to call home. I was going to be traveling helping out at branches based on gaps on the schedule. As it turns out, the first branch I was placed at really loved me and submitted a request to hire me.
I immediately loved banking, who doesn’t like working with money?! I look back and remember clients being so happy leaving our lending officers office. They were about to be homeowners and you could see the excitement on the faces. At that moment, I decided I wanted to help people buy a house.
I stayed in the banking industry until 2007 moving on up in positions, at which time an opportunity came up in accounting that I decided to try. That resulted in me becoming a Financial Analyst for a software company until 2015, where after an acquisition, I did not survive the last round of layoffs.
I returned to Retail Banking then with my sights back on lending. It wasn’t until 2018 I applied for an opening in the lending department but I wasn’t a right fit for the opening, BUT they were so impressed with me and my journey, they created a position for me! That resulted in me starting my career in lending as a HELOC specialist, then working on the Refinance team, then lastly venturing into Purchases all within the span of a year.
I had done it, reached my first goal, lending officer!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was tough at first. When I got back into banking in 2015, the industry was still unstable and the lending department for my bank, had just downsized. I thought it was impossible to break in, and so it was.
Until I made a friend in the lending department who helped me change my mindset. I would send him referrals via our video channel and he told me to apply, they are always hiring he told me.
So I did and I got through the first rounds of phone interview and was scheduled a time in person in late 2018.
However once I showed up, it was a job fair environment with over 50 candidates I could count, I was later told over 90 people applied!
I was so nervous and in my mind, I thought I have to do something to stand out. One of my interim positions in my journey was working for a recruiter so I knew how to prepare for an interview and prepare I did.
I had multiple copies of my resume printed, my own set of questions printed as well along with a binder to take notes and a slew of stories to share.
I nailed my first interview with a manager, then was selected to interview with his manager immediately. I knew I had won him over when the last question I asked during my question period, was what would it take for me to have his position in 3 years. He laughed heartily and I knew I gained his respect.
The tough part though, was that they were looking for two seasoned lenders, I was looking to break into the industry. So they did hire two lenders, I wasn’t one of them. But they liked me so much, they created a new position for me to apply in the portal and the position was mine!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My name is Ray Corado, and I am a workaholic, zero days sober.
Seriously though, by vocation, I am a mortgage broker/branch manager, licensed in over 14 states with access to over 150 lenders. My mission is simple, restore hope in homeownership!
By calling, my wife and I serve as Sr. Pastors of Maranatha Church, one of the fastest growing churches in our District, located in the historic, Fair Park neighborhood of downtown Dallas. Our shared vision is to see people healed and empowered. I am also a leader within our Denomination, serving as Assistant Director over the Men’s Ministry of more than 120 churches. We just got back from an amazing overseas missions trip to Africa.
What I am most proud of, is my 7 year old daughter Faith. She is a perfect blend of my wife’s social prowess and my nerdiness, she’s unstoppable. We practice Taekwondo together and are on pace to be black belts this year.
However becoming a father helped me refocus on aligning my inner voice, with my outer man. It pushed me to take real ownership of becoming the man I always envisioned myself as.
In 2018, the same year of Faiths birth, I saw myself as a defeated, overweight and frustrated man weighing 340 pounds. I knew I had to make a change if I wanted to be around for my family later in life. Through answered prayers and insurance, In October 2018, I had a gastric bypass which jumpstarted my weight loss. I went down to 205 in under a year.
I have continued my journey, adding in fasting to my regimen and as of today I weighed in a 165 pounds. I just finished my first 10K race, and am preparing for my first half marathon in May 2026!
What sets me apart is my dedication to God first and foremost and then serving His people. Whatever is in my hands, I attempt to do it to my best, honoring God and helping people in the process.
Any big plans?
I do have big dreams and aspirations and right now I feel am entering a season of expansion, personally and professionally. Over the years, I have learned that growth is intentional and not just about being successful in one aspect of your life.
Professionally, I plan to continue to grow within the mortgage and real estate industries. I am a licensed Realtor in California, due to my broker coverage, West Capital Lending, but plan to get my license in Texas as well. I enjoy helping families navigate the home buying process as well as investors into real estate portfolio management.
Beyond that, I feel strongly called to build tools, systems and platforms that help people grow in all areas of life. A large part of my journey has been learning and ingraining discipline into my daily habits and rhythms. My goal is to speak from my experience in rebuilding my health, strengthening my faith and continually reinventing myself through different seasons of life to help others who feel stuck. I want to take those lessons and create practical frameworks that genuinely help people move forward in their own lives.
Right now, I am developing educational and mindset-focused projects, that can help both homebuyers and real estate professionals better understand the lending process leading to make wiser decisions. Technology and education are areas I am very passionate about, especially when they can simplify complicated processes and help people go further, faster.
At this stage of my life, I am less interested in simply building a brand or business, and more interested in building people and leaders. If I can help others grow, lead better, think bigger and walk in their God-given purpose, then I believe success naturally follows that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.raycorado.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raycorado/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raycorado
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raycorado/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/raycorado
- Other: https://westcapitallending.com/team/Raybere-Corado
