Local Mortgage Lenders in MN & WI

Meet our team of Mortgage Lenders, who can help you find a mortgage or home loan option that aligns with your personal needs. We've also have free resources, like an overview of the home loan process and mortgage calculators, to help you feel more comfortable as you start your home buying journey.

Choose a location to apply now, view mortgage rates, or find a Merchants Bank Mortgage Lender(s):

Apple Valley

Rhonda Merchlewitz

Winona - Downtown

(507) 457-9355 | Email Rhonda
NMLS # 411295
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Dawn Stenberg

Winona - Downtown

(507) 457-1109 | Email Dawn Stenberg
NMLS # 439932
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Tami Krause

St. Charles

(507) 932-6781 | Email Tami
NMLS # 411291
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B.J. Hamilton

La Crescent

(507) 895-9708 | Email B.J.
NMLS # 1026108

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Dawn Garms

Onalaska

(608) 779-8222 | Email Dawn Garms
NMLS # 515905
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Tina Mueller

Onalaska

(608) 779-8294 | Email Tina
NMLS # 411298
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Julie Augedahl

Caledonia & Spring Grove

(507) 724-7241 | Email Julie
NMLS # 851663
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Katie Lund

Rochester

(507) 535-1543 | Email Katie
NMLS # 1499559
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Nicole Williamson

Rochester, Lanesboro & Rushford

(507) 536-3901 | Email Nicole
NMLS # 562329
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Arlene Schwerzler

Red Wing

o: (651) 267-4744 | Email Arlene
c: (507) 429-5413
NMLS # 411307
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Shelly Zimmerman

Cannon Falls & Hampton

(507) 263-7562 | Email Shelly
NMLS # 501121
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Andy Althoff

Northfield

(507) 664-0803 | Email Andy
NMLS # 2005067
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Cindy Luedke

Apple Valley

(952) 837-4052 | Email Cindy
NMLS # 364665
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Brian Wester

Apple Valley

(952) 837-4058 | Email Brian
NMLS # 411320
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Jenna DeBaere

Hastings & Cottage Grove

(651) 438-7315 | Email Jenna
NMLS # 1569007
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Tim Nelson

Lakeville

(952) 841-4268 | Email Tim Nelson
NMLS # 401971
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Tim Vukelich

Lakeville

(952) 841-4272 | Email Tim Vukelich
NMLS # 665490
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Adrian A. Quilling

Rosemount

(651) 438-7333 | Email Adrian
NMLS # 1693473
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Ben Franko

Eau Claire

(715) 855-0827 | Email Ben
NMLS # 481007
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Rhonda Merchlewitz

Mortgage Lender - Winona-Downtown

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Personal Profile

Rhonda Merchlewitz, Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer in Winona, takes personal pride in giving outstanding service to each and every customer. She is committed to making sure you have a complete understanding of the lending process and helping select the loan that best fits your needs. She will make the lending experience both exciting and rewarding.

In her spare time, Rhonda enjoys boating, camping, gardening and spending time with her family and dogs.

Experience

Rhonda has worked in all areas of banking and lending since 1998. She specializes in a wide variety of loan programs, including conventional, government guaranteed loans, new construction, lot loans, non-conforming and first-time home buyer loans.

Dawn Stenberg

Assistant Vice President / Mortgage Lender - Downtown Winona
Email Dawn Stenberg

Personal Profile

Dawn Stenberg, Mortgage Lender in Winona, is strongly committed to helping each customer fulfill their dream in home ownership. Dawn understands the importance in finding the correct loan product to fit your individual financial needs. Dawn believes communication, respectfulness, and motivation are all important and necessary attributes to building a rewarding relationship with each client. She is determined to make the overall experience seamless and rewarding.

Experience

Dawn has worked as a mortgage lender previously, both with Wells Fargo in the Winona market, and the John O Melby Bank in Whitehall, WI. She has worked in the mortgage field since 2008 and in the banking industry since 2002. Stenberg has been with the Merchants Bank organization since 2012, where she has worked both as a mortgage underwriter and a mortgage coordinator.

Tami Krause

Mortgage Lender - St. CharlesEmail Tami

Personal Profile

Tami Krause, Mortgage Loan Officer in St. Charles, feels privileged to help people get into their next home – whether it’s a first, second, third or fourth home. Her attention to detail and personal needs helps her provide the level of service that our customers deserve and expect.

Experience

Tami started her banking career with Merchants in 2002 as a lead teller. In 2007, she took on consumer lending responsibilities. In 2016, she added home loans to her areas of expertise – just one more reason our customers in St. Charles look forward to the one stop consumer banking experience Tami can provide.

B.J. Hamilton

Mortgage Lender - La Crescent

Email B.J.

Save up to $500 off closing costs with B.J.

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

I enjoy visiting with people to learn about them and their lifestyle. Once I know what their wants and needs are, it is gratifying to fit them to the best product to turn their dreams into realities. Whether with a first time homebuyer, or a seasoned buyer, every process is unique. The process is not a “one size fits all,” it needs to be tailored to each individual customer.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Take a look at your lifestyle and find a monthly payment that fits it. If you purchase a home that costs more monthly than you are comfortable with and you have to stop doing the things you enjoy, you will start to resent your home and hate it. Your home should be a fun, relaxing place to go to after a hard day’s work.

How do you stay busy?

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends. We enjoy snow skiing in the winter, and during the summer we are boating, grilling out, going to a baseball tournament or just hanging out relaxing.

What is the most memorable piece of advice ever given to you?

Follow your heart and give 100% in everything you do - If you don’t try, you will never succeed.

Dawn Garms

Mortgage Lender - Onalaska

Email Dawn

Save up to $500 off Closing Costs with Dawn

How do you approach working with your customers?

I am a very honest person that would tell a customer what I would personally do for myself. I look for ways to give the customer the most benefit.

How do you stay busy?

In my free time I enjoy traveling to new places, hiking, art, anything outdoors, and social gatherings with friends.

What is the most memorable piece of advice ever given to you?

Live life to the fullest.

How are you involved in the community?

I am active in the La Crosse Area Realtors Association, La Crosse Area Builder’s Association, and serve as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce.

Tina Mueller

Mortgage Lender - Onalaska Tina Mueller, Mortgage Lender

Email Tina

Save up to $500 off Closing Costs with Tina

Personal Profile

Tina Mueller, Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer in Onalaska, takes pride in a commitment to service and excellence in all that she does. She is a member of the La Crosse Area REALTORS Association, La Crosse Area Builders Association, Onalaska Area Business Association, and Past President and current board member of the Coulee Region Bankers Association. She is also Past President of the Holmen Show Choir Booster Club.

In her spare time, Tina enjoys boating, biking, reading, traveling, sporting events and spending time with her family. Tina is married with 2 children and resides in Holmen.

Experience

Being in the banking industry since 1992, Tina prides herself on putting her customers first and fitting them with a mortgage program that best fits their needs. Tina is well versed in conventional and government loan programs such as Federal VA and WHEDA - the Wisconsin First-time Home buyer program. She makes the financing aspect of the home-buying experience fast, efficient and worry-free for all parties involved. Her customers can expect a competitive interest rate, and full disclosure with thorough understanding of the terms and pricing of their loan. Whether you are looking to refinance an existing home, purchase or build a new one, call Tina today.

Julie Augedahl

Mortgage Lender - Caledonia & Spring Grove

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What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

The best part of being a mortgage lender is helping customers fulfill their dreams of owning their own house, whether it be their first home, newly constructed home or vacation home.

How do you approach working with your customers?

Just smile and be kind! I have found listening is the best practice. Getting to know your customers and their wishes and values is important when purchasing a home!

How do you stay busy?

I have two kids that keep me busy. I also enjoy playing golf, softball and volleyball, love to cook and bake as well.

What is something people don’t know about you?

I lived in Cody WY for three and a half years. Its beautiful out there everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

Katie Lund

Mortgage Lender - Rochester Northwest Plaza

Email Katie

Personal Profile

Katie Lund, Mortgage Lender in Rochester, puts the needs of her customers first and is dedicated to making sure those needs are met. She enjoys helping people realize their dreams of home ownership and matching customers up with the right Merchants Bank mortgage program.

Experience

Katie has been part of the Merchants Bank team since 2008, when she joined our leasing company Merchants Bank Equipment Finance. Since 2013, she has worked at Merchants Bank in Rosemount as a Mortgage Loan Coordinator, where she was an expert in the mortgage origination process. In 2016, she became a Mortgage Lender at our Rochester-Northwest Plaza location.

Nicole Williamson

Mortgage Lender - Rochester

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What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

It’s a tie between finding ways to save my customers’ money and helping them buy their dream homes.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Before you start your house hunt, make sure to get a pre-approval letter.

What’s the best trip you ever took?

Germany. My father was there on a business trip and I got to tag along. We visited Stuttgart, Heidelberg and Cologne. It was so interesting to learn about the culture.

What is something people don’t know about you?

While during the day you’d be able to find me in my office, in my free time I’m out fishing on the Mississippi.

What do you hope your customers say about you?

I hope they say Nicole truly cares about her customers’ financial well-being and ensures she is looking out for the best options to meet their financial needs.

Arlene Schwerzler

Mortgage Lender - Red Wing

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What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

Assisting borrowers with purchasing their home is the best. Buying a home to call your own, what could be a more special event for a person, and I am honored to have the opportunity to partner with them.

What is/are proudest accomplishment(s)?

Helping so many folks finance the biggest financial purchase of their life.

Who is your mentor and why?

My parents. They are good, honest, hard-working people who give effortlessly of themselves.

What do you hope your customers say about you?

That I have provided them a caring approach to financing and that they feel they can truly trust and count on me to provide the best financing option for them.

Shelly Zimmerman

Mortgage Lender - Cannon Falls & Hampton

Email Shelly

What’s your professional background?

I’ve spent nearly my entire career in banking – almost 25 years. I’ve spent most of my career in the mortgage lending area, so I’m very familiar with mortgage loan program options.

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

I love helping people reach their goals of home-ownership as well as being a resource and guide for helping customers make informed decisions about financing their homes.

How do you approach working with your customers?

The home-buying process can be daunting, and I want to make it as easy and smooth as possible. It’s my goal to provide an exceptional experience to every home buyer or builder that steps in my office, and with our fantastic processing and underwriting teams, I’m able to focus on that.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Ask lots of questions! It’s important to understand the decisions you’re making. Don’t worry about sounding silly, we’re experts in this industry and here to help you make sure you’re comfortable with the process.

What do you hope your customers say about you?

I hope my customers say they felt I was committed to a quality experience for them. That we evaluated all their options and they were able to make an educated decision that was best suited for their unique situation.

Andy Althoff

Mortgage Lender - Northfield

Email Andy

What is your banking background?

I’ve been with Merchants since 2014 first as a Credit Operations Representative then as a Mortgage Loan Processor.

What are you most excited for in your position?

I love working with people and helping them realize their dreams of homeownership. I really strive to make the process of home buying and refinancing as seamless as possible.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Connect with a mortgage lender early on in the process to get pre-approved. Then you’ll have a better idea of your price range for when you’re house-hunting so you can be ready to make an offer when you find right home.

How do you stay busy?

In the summer, I enjoy golfing and fishing. I always enjoy spending time with my family up north and when there’s snow, I go skiing.

What is something people don’t know about you?

I like to build and fix things – I actually have many pieces of furniture that I have built myself.

Cindy Luedke

Mortgage Lender - Apple Valley Cindy Luedke, Mortgage Lender

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What do you enjoy about coming to work every day?

It’s never the same. It’s very interesting. As I’ve been here longer, I continue to see some of the customers I helped in the beginning, which is a great feeling.

What's your secret talent?

To make table arrangements out of whatever is available. I end up doing that a lot for special events.

What's your birthday meal?

My mom was always a good cook, so birthday meals were just as good as our everyday meals. She was always cooking. I remember I would get up at 7:15 in the morning for school and could smell homemade cinnamon rolls. I never understood how she had time to make them. They were still hot and made from scratch.

Brian Wester

Mortgage Lender - Apple Valley

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What does community banking mean to you?

Being part of a banking group that’s a smaller entity compared to a larger big box bank. I think Merchants has a more customer-centric focus. We provide more opportunities for one-on-one interaction with customers. I like to think of it as being involved in your community and more personalized.

What one thing on your bucket list?

To go to Europe.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments?

Raising two daughters, getting them through college and out on their own.

What do you enjoy about coming to work every day?

I enjoy the interaction with customers, who have a number of different needs from loans to checking accounts. I get to wear all these different hats. I really like coming to work because I know there are a lot of people that I can get involved with because of the variety of areas I’m involved in at the Bank. Since I became Personal Banking Manager, I’m not just focused on mortgage any longer and it’s opened up more opportunities to meet and greet all of our customers. My job keeps me challenged, busy and time goes by quickly.

Jenna DeBaere

Mortgage Lender - Hastings

Email Jenna

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

Getting to know my customers and providing the best customer service. Buying a home is exciting and I like that I can be involved in the process.

What’s the best trip you ever took?

I went to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico with my family. One of the highlights of the trip was when we rented scooters in Cozumel and explored the island.

Who is your mentor and why?

My mom. Over the years she has given me the help, advice, and tools to succeed and be successful in my personal and professional life.

What do you hope your customers say about you?

That I am easy to work with and go above and beyond to help get them into their home.

Tim Nelson

Mortgage Lender - Lakeville

Email Tim

How do you approach working with your customers?

I take the time to listen to the customer and discover their unique needs to better serve them.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Come in and see me early in the process. I can make your home buying fun and exciting while alleviating some of the stress.

What is the most memorable piece of advice ever given to you?

That family always comes first! I’m a proud father of four great kids and I do my best never to miss any of their activities.

What do you hope your customers say about you?

I hope they say that I always made sure that I was watching out for their best interests. I consider most of my past clients as friends.

Tim Vukelich

Mortgage Lender - Lakeville

Email Tim

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

I enjoy figuring out what my customers need to help them reach their home-ownership goals. I take great pride in making the mortgage process a great experience.

How do you approach working with your customers?

I always try to see the situation from my customer’s perspective, and approach it how I would want to be approached in their position. I understand that there can be some nervousness with the home-buying process and I try to ease the customer’s mind every step of the way.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

My top tip for home buyers is know that there are lots of options for you. Sometimes people think they don’t have the means to achieve their home-ownership dreams, but the reality is that there are all kinds of home loan programs that could be a perfect fit for you.

What is the most memorable piece of advice ever given to you?

The thing that I remember every day is that every customer is valuable, and they should be treated that way.

What do you hope your customers say about you?

I hope that my customers are truly happy and satisfied at the end of the process and that it was a less stressful experience than they thought it would be.

Adrian Quilling

Mortgage Lender - Rosemount

Email Adrian

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

It brings me a lot of joy to help people realize their dream of homeownership, or to help them improve their living situation. It is an extremely important decision, and I am happy to help you navigate the home-buying process.

How do you approach working with your customers?

I love an informed & educational approach. I enjoy helping my customers make the best decision they can on one of their most important purchases ever. As we move forward together, I want to give you a firm understanding of the entire process, and to help you seal the deal on an amazing home!

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Plan ahead, and talk to your mortgage lender early on. Save up for your down payment as soon as you are able to begin, and get pre-qualified before you search for a home.

How do you stay busy?

Most of my free time is spent running a fun DJ company called Ambient Entertainment. From helping couples celebrate their weddings to assisting them with homeownership, I get to be there for a lot of important moments!

Ben Franko

Mortgage Lender - Eau Claire

Email Ben

What do you like best about being a mortgage lender?

I enjoy helping people make their dreams come true. Whether it’s the guiding them down the path to their first home, making the dream of a lake home become a reality, or using the equity in their current home for renovations.

What is your top advice for home buyers?

Get pre-approved so that you know a price range when housing hunting and how the payment is going to affect your monthly budget. Don’t stretch yourself into a home that’s too much. You want a comfortable home and payment situation.

Who is your mentor and why?

I have had many mentors though life, but the two most important would be my dad and my maternal grandfather. Both have shown me that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it and are willing to work to achieve the goal.

What is something people don’t know about you?

I love classical music. It takes me back to my childhood and spending time with my grandfather, who had an amazing love of the classic composers.