Edith Gallegos
Edith Gallegos - Community Home Lending Officer
Edith Gallegos (NMLS #1147968) approaches lending as more than just a job – it’s an act of service. As a Community Home Lending Officer with First Merchants Bank, she helps individuals and families – especially first-time homebuyers – turn the dream of homeownership into a reality.
“One of the most meaningful moments in my work was helping a woman in her 70s purchase her first home,” Edith shared. “She had given up on the idea, but we were able to help her identify grants and services and get her her first home. That’s why I’m in lending: to serve others and help them believe in what’s possible.”
As a Community Home Lender, that’s Edith’s goal – making the impossible dream possible. Because Community Home Lending is about more than signing off on a loan, Edith also serves as a trusted financial advisor, guiding clients towards funding, resources, and tools that set them up for success and stability.
Her journey into lending began after more than a decade in real estate, when she realized that’s how she could better help others.
“It really was my heart for helping and serving others that led me to lending,” she explained. “As a lender, I get to know people deeply, listen to their needs, and help them access the resources that can change their lives.”
Edith helps her clients find the connections they need to make their dreams possible, whether that’s introducing them to a real estate agent, referring them to a nonprofit for credit counseling, or helping them apply for down payment assistance and affordable housing grants.
Edith approaches each client with care, knowing that no two situations are the same.
“Each day brings new challenges and new opportunities to serve. I don’t offer one-size-fits-all answers. I offer my time, my attention, and my commitment to finding what’s right for each family,” she shared.
She recalls one family who had been living in a friend’s garage after their lease ended. With Edith’s help, they were able to secure a home of their own.
“I think that client really illustrates the difference we’re making,” she said. “For some individuals, especially those in the low-to-moderate income bracket, stable and secure housing is not a guarantee. Changing that narrative is our goal. And, to me, it’s about more than helping someone achieve homeownership, it’s about helping families create generational stability and prosperity.”
In addition to her lending work, Edith is a strong advocate for financial education. She leads community workshops on homeownership, credit, and financial literacy, helping individuals build the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.
Edith’s greatest inspiration comes from her family, her daughter Ivette, son-in-law Edgar, and especially her granddaughter Camila. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, horseback riding, and exploring new hobbies like sewing and golf.
