Julie Ratliff
General Counsel & Chief Compliance OfficerGrand Bank for Savings
Julie joined Grand Bank for Savings, FSB, a community federal savings bank with a local brick and mortar but a national mortgage footprint, in January 2023. She serves as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary with oversight of legal, risk, compliance, and HR. She previously worked as General Counsel, Vice President of Compliance, and Corporate Secretary for First Heritage Credit, LLC from 2011-2022 (106 branches through Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina). She was previously in private practice, which included civil defense litigation, commercial collections, creditor rights and bankruptcy work, MS Tort Claims Board, family law, and insurance defense litigation. She served as Managing Partner in volume debtor bankruptcy practice with offices in Tupelo and Southaven, Mississippi. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Mississippi State University and Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi. She is a member of the Mississippi and Tennessee Bar Associations. She served on the Mississippi Bar Association’s Committee on Professional Responsibility, including service as Chair. She is a prior member of the MS Corporate Counsel Association, including service as President. She has been a member of the Junior League of Jackson since 2005.
My Areas of Expertise: i.e. strategy, marketing, team building, executive management?
Compliance, project and executive management, human resources, and departmental/process development.
Areas of expertise upon which I would like to continue learning.
Work/life balance.
What three keywords best describe you?
Dedicated, positive, and aware.
Personal Motto:
It’s a good day to have a good day!
What are you passionate about?
Family, music, food, and art.
What is something interesting about you that members might not know?
I can write upside and backwards (from my debtor bankruptcy practice days).
Who has been a role model for you?
My Mother. She applied for law school after many years of raising her children. She graduated from Mississippi College School of Law at the young age of 48 and worked as a Staff Attorney for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for 25 years.
What are you most proud of?
How I’ve handled the life change of the move from Ridgeland to Hattiesburg and consumer finance to banking.
MENTORING:
a. What would you say are the key success factors for a mentoring relationship?
(1) Safe and empowering environment; (2) goal alignment and purpose; (3) honest dialogue and advocacy; (4) role modeling and representation; (5) building confidence and agency; (6) expanding networks and sponsorship; and (7) continuous reflection and growth.
b. What advice would you give yourself as a young executive?
Don’t lose sight of what’s important – family. Work will be there.
c. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Don’t forget to take care of yourself.
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