Most children don't dream of working in the mortgage industry when they grow up. And Leslie Corn, Neighbors Bank's Director of People and Culture, was no exception.
Though she wasn't thrilled by the prospect of working at a bank, in her time at Neighbors she's found something special she never could have imagined.
"I've found there is so much ability to enhance lives, to really be mission driven and to make a difference in a way that I did not think was possible," she says.
Initially founded in 1945 as Clarence State Bank in Clarence, Missouri, Neighbors Bank serves local communities in nearly all 50 states with a personalized touch.
Neighbors specializes in offering low- or no-down payment loans, allowing those who have often been priced out of homebuying
the opportunity to own a home.
"A lot of times, people who have been told 'no, no, no,' they can come to us and they may get a yes," she explains.
At Neighbors, it's not just about matching clients with the right home loan for them; it's also about preparing them for the process.
Through Lighthouse, the company's credit restoration department, loan officers help hopeful homebuyers analyze their credit reports, dispute errors, and repair credit scores.
It's challenging work, with hard days, Corn says, as the team often hears stories of struggle, heartbreak and hopelessness. But for Neighbors, it's worthwhile and allows the team to enhance lives everyday by making homebuying more "affordable, accessible and achievable."
"We really want to help people change their lives through home ownership because it breaks cycles of poverty, it helps people create generational wealth," she says.
This dedication to improving the lives of those around them doesn't stop at helping clients. It extends to helping each other and the communities they operate in.
Birthdays are celebrated with personal cards and little bit of cash that employees are encouraged to pay forward. Volunteer hours and gift drives are the norm, and giving back is simply what they do.
With this in mind, it's easy to see why Neighbors Bank was named one of USA TODAY's top workplaces for the second consecutive year.
Through the Neighbors Bank Foundation (NBF), every employee has the opportunity to donate 1% of their income to local charities, and Neighbors Bank will match that donation.
NBF is fully run by Neighbors employees who approve applications and deliver funds directly to people throughout the community. In just one month, employees delivered $50,000 into the hands of those who needed it.
"I think the people who want to enhance lives are drawn to Neighbors Bank. And I think what they can really experience [here] is we aren't just saying it, we're doing it," Corn says.
In fact, most Neighbors employees say that aside from the work-life balance that comes from being a fully remote company, one of the best things they get to experience at Neighbors is making people's dreams come true and serving underserved communities. They love the work they do, and love that they are recognized and rewarded for that work.
"It's just so exciting to be excited about the people that I work with and what we're doing," Corn says.
What is USA TODAY Top Workplaces?
Each year, USA TODAY Top Workplaces, a collaboration between Energage and USA TODAY, ranks organizations across the U.S. that excel at creating a positive work environment for their employees. Employee feedback determines the winners.
In 2026, over 1,600 companies earned recognition as top workplaces. Check out our overall U.S. rankings. You can also gain insights into more workplace trends and advice by checking out the links below.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Neighbors Bank aims to enhance lives through accessible homebuying
