Jasmine Mercado

Business Banking Development Officer Sr., VP

Huntington Bank

I was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, and received my BA degree from Alverno College, with a focus in Finance, in 2007. I received my Masters of Business Administration in 2010 also from Alverno College. I completed my higher education while being a new mother and working full-time at M&I Bank. Currently, I’m a very busy wife of a Milwaukee firefighter and a devoted mother of three beautiful children, ages 16, 12, and 8. I am currently employed at Huntington Bank as a Business Banking Development Officer Sr. VP.  Prior to joining Huntington Bank, I was employed as a Commercial Lender for Waukesha State Bank. I enjoy being a board member of forwarding Community Investments, Apartment Association of Southeast Wisconsin, and Forest Home Cemetery. In my “relaxation” time I enjoy all things family-related, travel, mindfulness meditation classes, and volunteering within the Hispanic community.

Q) What do you enjoy the most about commercial real estate?
A) It is exciting to know that commercial real estate is an asset that can be used in many different ways. It can create generational wealth and passive income, lessen tax burdens during your working years, and be used for financial planning in retirement.

Q) What is the best piece of advice you have received?
A) Try everything once.

Q) What is your favorite quote?
A) What is for you, will not pass you.

Q) Where did you grow up?
A) I was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI. I’ve had the pleasure of exploring different parts of the city throughout my academic career. I attended middle school in Bay View, high school on the Eastside at Shorewood high school, and college on the southside of Milwaukee.

Q) What was cool when you were growing up but isn’t cool now?
A) Tamagotchis and trolls! Being an only child, I had a very active imagination and lots of solo time!

Q) What’s your favorite place to travel to?
A) I have a large family in Uvalde, Texas and I visit a few times a year.

Q) Which projects are you involved in/most excited about?
A) I’m most excited to see the final revitalization of the Kinnickinnic River.

Q) If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would it be?
A) Mahatma Gandi – I would enjoy talking to him about his philosophy that nonviolence, truth, and love always win.

Q) What made you choose Commercial Real Estate?
A) I have always had the spirit of an entrepreneur! In the late 1980s, my grandparents owned and operated a Mexican restaurant on Milwaukee’s south side and I spent many hours there. In my current position, I assist business owners with their finances which include real estate purchases. I realized that I truly enjoyed the real estate component and decided I wanted to become involved in commercial real estate. It didn’t take long for me to realize that it was a growing passion.

Q) What is a goal you would like to accomplish within your Commercial Real Estate career?
A) I would be delighted to be part of a new construction project – from start to finish! I want to be behind the scenes and experience the entire process.

Q) What do you hope to get out of your NextGen Experience?
A) I really hope to meet like-minded peers that enjoy learning. I value relationships and hope to create some through this experience. Receiving a crash course in all the different components of commercial real estate development is invaluable to me at this point in my career.