The housing market will have some peaks and valleys as the calendar heads into the heart of winter and eventually into warmer temperatures. People who are looking to either buy or sell their home will need all the necessary information to make informed choices. That requires meeting with someone who understands the market and can direct clients to the best options for them.
Michelle Proia, Mortgage Broker for Bank5 in Warwick, has been in the industry for years for over 35 years. She takes the time to understand what her clients want and need so that she can provide the best options for them. Her experience helps her clients dodge the potential pitfalls that other people often fall into.
Proia said her path her joining this endeavor came early.
“I knew in high school that I wanted to be in the business world. When I watched ‘Working Girl’,” she said. “In 1988, that dream was solidified—I was determined to
Subscribe For Free & Save 10%
Save 10% on select Rhode Island stores when you sign up for our free online monthly magazine.
After graduating from Katherine Gibbs in 1987, she started her career at EF Hutton, working alongside tax attorneys and lobbyists. At that time, Katherine Gibbs offered a placement program, and through it, she landed a role as a receptionist at a local mortgage company.
That opportunity changed the course of Michelle’s career.
“I’ve always loved a challenge, and learning the mortgage industry is definitely a marathon, not a sprint,” she said.
Michelle quickly moved from receptionist to preprocessor, handling titles, ordering appraisals, and packaging loans for investors—back when everything was done via overnight delivery, long before the internet, email, or cell phones.
From there, Michelle transitioned into processing, working closely with underwriters, checking guidelines, and verifying income to help clients reach the closing table. That hands-on experience gave her a strong foundation to step into the role she truly loves: Mortgage Loan Officer.
“I firmly believe that homeownership creates not only wealth in the form of equity but also community. And that’s why I do what I do—helping people build both,” she said.
Proia joined Bank5 in January of 2025. Bank5 is a community lending bank with a strong focus on community development and hands-on experiences with their clients. Headquartered in Fall River, MA, Bank5 offers many community lending programs, RI Housing/Mass Housing and individual city grants. They know and understand the local market and have portfolio programs such as bridge loans, home equity lines of credit including FHA/VA/Conventional. As a bank they offer competitive rates as well. Michelle said she enjoys the ability to work and speak directly with my manager and underwriters.
Thinking About Buying a Home in 2026? Here Are Some Tips to Get Started:
• Get Your Documentation Ready: You’ll need your two most recent pay stubs, two most recent bank statements, and W-2s for 2024 and 2025. If you’re self-employed, have your last two years of tax returns ready.
• Keep Your Credit Score Strong: Avoid late payments and keep your credit card balances below half of your credit limit. The closer you get to your limit, the more your score will drop.
• Discuss Large Cash Deposits with Your Loan Officer: These will need to be sourced. Gift Funds are allowed, but documentation is required.
Browse Our Latest Magazine Monthly Issues
• Don’t Hesitate to Start Prequalification: Begin with a soft credit pull to see where you stand and what needs improvement.
Work With Professionals Who Care. As always, it’s important to work with professionals. The right loan officer and the right real estate agent are essential to a successful home-buying process.
“I work with top-notchRealtors who, like me, truly care about their clients and ensure they make the most beneficial decisions for themselves and their families,” she said.
Why Teamwork Matters: According to Michelle, “It’s also very important that your loan officer works with an excellent team. My Loan Officer Assistant, Deborah Lubin, and Processor, Caitlin Barone, we have worked together for over eight years, and when I say we have a system down—we have a system down. We work together to make sure you’re placed into the correct product.
“Your income is calculated accurately, and all documentation is reviewed prior to submission to underwriting. This way, when underwriting reviews your loan and issues the commitment letter, you can be confident you’ll get to the closing table smoothly.
“If you have any questions about getting pre-approved, fixing your credit, gathering
documentation, or finding the right real estate agent, please feel free to call or email me. My advice is always free,” she added.
Michelle may be reached by calling her at 401-641-0109 or by email at michelle.proia@bankfive.com.
