Ferdinand and Strahler Join North State Bank
June 16, 2025
For more information, contact:
Amanda M. Lloyd
Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer
ALloyd@NorthStateBank.com; 919.855.9925
Amanda M. Lloyd
Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer
ALloyd@NorthStateBank.com; 919.855.9925
RALEIGH, N.C. . . . North State Bank is expanding its mortgage division with the addition of two accomplished mortgage loan professionals: Chris Ferdinand and Renee Strahler. Based on their experience and expertise, both Ferdinand and Strahler have been named assistant vice presidents of North State Bank. Their addition will further strengthen the Bank’s presence in key growth markets across Johnston and Wake counties.
“Our mortgage division, under the leadership of Senior Vice President and Chief Mortgage Sales Officer Thomas Eller, is well-established, thriving, and poised for continued growth,” said Amanda Lloyd, executive vice president and chief people officer. “As a full-service mortgage lender, we assist customers from pre-approval to closing with a team of sales and operations professionals that is second-to-none. Chris and Renee will hit the ground running as they expand the depth and reach of our team. We look forward to the value they will add to both the Bank and our customers.”
Ferdinand has 16 years of industry experience, including positions with Countrywide Home Loans, M/I Financial, and most recently, with First Home Mortgage, where he earned a place in the company’s Leaders Club in both 2024 and 2025. He was named a Top Originator by Scotsman Guide in 2025. A native of Oakdale, New York, Chris and his family now reside in Clayton, North Carolina. Ferdinand is actively involved with the Home Builders Association of Raleigh–Wake County and the Johnston County Building Industry Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Delaware.
“I am excited to join North State Bank,” Ferdinand said. “The Bank has earned a great reputation in the markets it serves by consistently helping homebuyers with one of the most significant purchases they’ll make during their lifetime. As a mortgage loan officer, my mission is to help people achieve homeownership and build generational wealth, values that align perfectly with North State Bank’s approach.”
A 22-year industry veteran, Strahler has worked with Prime Lending and First Home Mortgage. In 2025, she was named to First Home’s Leaders Club and was recognized as a Top Originator by Scotsman Guide. A Marietta, Ohio, native, she earned a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and is currently involved with the Raleigh Regional Association of Lenders and St. Mary Magdaline Church. Renee and her family live in Cary.
Strahler shared, “I am pleased to be part of North State Bank. They have a stellar mortgage team and a great presence in Wake County. I love calling this area home and enjoy helping others achieve home ownership here, too.”
Founded in 2000, North State Bank is an independent, full-service community bank serving Wake and New Hanover counties through seven offices. The Bank operates four unique business line divisions: CommunityPLUS—for community management associations, Government Lending—including SBA, Mortgage, and a Specialized Lending Group (SLG) for developers and builders.
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NorthStateBank.com
This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements for various reasons, including our ability to manage growth, changes in real estate values and the real estate market, regulatory changes and increased deposit insurance assessments, economic conditions, changes in interest rates, substantial changes in financial markets, loss of deposits and loan demand to other savings and financial institutions and our limited operating history.