It Takes a Team to Make a House a Home

Good leaders help people do their jobs. Great leaders help people shape their futures.

That’s the lesson Nicole Dooley learned firsthand from branch manager Jacob Hall when she joined Regions Bank’s Consumer team in 2016 as a relationship banker.

“Because I was new, Jacob shared all the benefits of banking at Regions on my first day,” Dooley recalled. “When he told me about 5 for 5, that stuck in my head. I thought, ‘Oh, that’s really cool.’ At that time, I wasn’t even thinking about buying a house.”

What is 5 for 5?

The loan is forgiven in $1,000 increments each year over five years as long as the eligible associate remains with Regions; if employment ends or the home is sold or refinanced before then, any remaining balance must be repaid.

Opportunity that Opened a Door

Five years after joining Regions, Dooley began thinking seriously about buying her first home. Hall’s advice came to mind.

By then, a lot had changed. Hall had transitioned from manager of the Baseline branch to a mortgage loan originator serving customers across Little Rock, Arkansas, while Dooley had moved to the bank’s Heights location. Although Hall was no longer her manager, the two continued working together, strengthening an already solid relationship.

“Reaching out to Jacob was a logical next step because he was the first person I ever talked to about possibly owning a home way back when,” Dooley said. “I asked him, ‘Can I even do this?’”

Hall immediately knew the answer was “yes.”

That’s because the 5 for 5 program isn’t just something Hall recommends to eligible associates. It was part of his own homeownership journey in 2014.

The experience was so positive that Hall has spent much of his mortgage career helping eligible associates like Dooley take advantage of the same opportunity.

“We genuinely do it for the people that we serve each and every day, including our teammates,” Hall said. “Sharing my own experience is one way I can show others what’s possible.”

We genuinely do it for the people that we serve each and every day, including our teammates. Sharing my own experience is one way I can show others what’s possible.
Jacob Hall, Regions mortgage loan originator

Making Room for Family

Encouraged by Hall, Dooley began searching for a home that would check more boxes than just her own.

“My parents live with me, and my mom is on a walker,” Dooley explained. “I wanted it to be easy for my mom if there’s ever an emergency. I didn’t want to worry about her having to go up and down stairs or climb out a window.”

Beyond the required items, Dooley’s father had a couple of additional items on his wish list.

“He wanted a nice, big backyard and a garage,” she said.

Throughout her search, Dooley regularly turned to Hall for advice, guidance and encouragement.

“He was a big cheerleader for me,” she said.

After an offer on another home fell through, Dooley heard about a property that quickly rose to the top of her list.

Her realtor helped arrange a showing before it officially listed.

The home checked every box. Then came the financial details.

Hall was there to help her navigate them, too.

“Jacob was straight up with me on expenses,” Dooley said. “There were things I didn’t even realize.”

“Insurance, taxes, homeowner association fees — you have to catch it all,” he said.

Jacob was straight up with me on expenses. There were things I didn’t even realize.
Nicole Dooley, Regions Relationship Banker II,  Heights Little Rock Branch

Feeling Right at Home

With Hall’s guidance, questions, paperwork and planning gave way to something much more rewarding: a place to call home.

Five years later, the house remains everything Dooley hoped it would be.

“My favorite thing about it changes every day,” she said. “It’s a very safe neighborhood. I just wanted someplace nice. And I think I got everything I asked for.”

And her dad?

“We’ve got one of the best lawns on the block,” Dooley said. “And I get free lawncare from my dad.”

Earlier this year, Dooley received another reminder of Hall’s lasting impact.

“Jacob came by the branch one day to congratulate me on marking my five years in my house,” she said. “I didn’t even say anything about it, and he remembered. It felt really special.”

The full-circle moment reminded Dooley of the lasting impact a single conversation can have.

“I encourage every eligible associate who can take advantage of this opportunity to do so,” she said. “Don’t pass it up. All I had to do was work here, and I was doing that anyway.”

Looking back, Dooley appreciates how Hall was there for two of life’s biggest milestones.

“It was awesome to have Jacob there when I started my Regions career and then again when I became a homeowner for the first time.”

I encourage every associate who can take advantage of this opportunity to do so. Don’t pass it up. All I had to do was work here, and I was doing that anyway.
Nicole Dooley

© Regions Bank, 2026. NMLS 174490. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.

Note: Experiences and opinions stated by customers are their own and involved no compensation.