NATCHEZ — For many people, buying a house is the ultimate American dream.

The process, though, can be daunting and stressful, but a new Natchez financial firm seeks to help area residents through the journey to owning their home.

NOLA Lending Group recently opened an office on Franklin Street, adding another location to its more than 20 locations across Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Florida.

NOLA Lending Group opened in 2002, and in January 2014, became a division of Fidelity Bank, founded in 1908, which has 18 branches in the Greater New Orleans, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Hammond, Ponchatoula and Baton Rouge areas.

Mortgage loan officer Britni Bryant recently joined the company and leads the Natchez office, which solely provides residential mortgage loans.

The company, Bryant said, is structured so that loans can close in 30 days or less.

“For me, it was really important that Natchez have that option to help people here with the home-buying process and make it more convenient for them,” she said.

Bryant said she makes herself available for clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so she can help them through the process of purchasing a home.

“I know it’s a scary process,” Bryant said. “I want to be available to my clients 24/7 so they can always ask me questions.”

To help clients understand the home-buying process, Bryant said she walks them through every part of the loan process and lets them know what to expect.

“I make sure to go through everything … and I make sure to show them all the different loan options that are available, so they can make sure they are making the best decision for their circumstances,” she said.

For Bryant, her work is more than just numbers and signing on dotted lines. While the process can be tedious, Bryant said her job is rewarding because she helps her clients achieve their dream of buying a home.

“Really my goal is to help people get into a house that they never thought possible,” Bryant said. “I want to empower them with the education about the process and the steps they need to take. I absolutely love my job because I am able to help people do that.”

Bryant is a Petal native and graduated from William Carey University with a degree in marketing and management. She moved to the area in September 2014, and said she is passionate about working in the Miss-Lou.

“I fell in love with the town and people when I first moved here in 2014,” Bryant said. “This is now my home. I want to do what I can to make it better. I believe helping people with finances and buying a home is what I can contribute to this wonderful community.”