About Denise Bennett:

With a financial career spanning 30 years, Denise Bennett brings an unmatched perspective to her clients—combining business strategy, market savvy and commercial lending expertise. As a strategist, lending specialist and professional speaker, Bennett’s passion is helping business owners and individuals to build and sustain long-term prosperity.

Since 2000, Bennett has spearheaded two companies: DS Bennett Business Strategies, focused on commercial lending strategy and execution, and Focus Visions Mortgage Group, LLC, focused on residential and investment lending.  At the heart of both companies is Bennett’s commitment to acting as a trusted advisor for her clients, helping them to develop and realize their individual financial vision.

Prior to starting her businesses, Bennett had a notable career with top national banks. Until 2000, she was Senior Vice President & Wake Area Business Banking Sales Manager at First Citizens Bank where she was instrumental in developing a new business banking initiative that increased the portfolio from $18MM to $93MM. During her tenure, she also led the sales team to win The Starmaker Award—the highest award given for profitability and sales lending volume in the corporation—for four consecutive years.

She has also held executive positions in commercial banking, consumer banking, mortgage, sales and community development with First Union National Bank (now Wachovia) and BB&T.

Bennett’s career has been further distinguished by positions on Wachovia Bank Board of Directors, First Citizens Bank Board of Directors, The Cardinal Club Board of Governors, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and membership in North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry.

Bennett was a contributing author to the anthology, Fantastic Customer Service: Inside and Out, and is a featured columnist in Women’s Edge magazine. She is also a certified member of The National Speakers Association.

Bennett is the recipient of numerous awards, including The Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award, The Mahogany Dime Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole Living Legend Award, Business Leader Women Extraordinaire, YWCA’s Academy of Women, Triangle Business Journal Women in Business, NC Distinguished Women (nominee) and The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Top Honors in Total Resource Campaign. She was also a 2008 finalist in the “Make Mine a Million” business growth program for top female entrepreneurs from North and South Carolina.

A long-time community supporter, Bennett has served on the Blue Ribbon Committee on the Future of Wake County, The Junior League of Raleigh Community Advisory Council and The Women’s Center Advisory Board.

Bennett graduated cum laude from Winston-Salem State University, with a BS in Business Administration.