Special offer

Who is Your Mortgage Loan Officer, and How Do You Check Up On Them?

By
Mortgage and Lending with CMG Home Loans NMLS 248937

 All Mortgage Loan Originators are not the same

dollars

For the vast majority of people, buying a home is the largest single transaction in their lifetime

 Shouldn't you know exactly who you are dealing with in this transaction?

 

As of 2010 all Mortgage Loan Originators that work for a Mortgage Banker or a Mortgage Broker needed to be Licensed Both on the Federal and State level. This is the NMLS, or Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System

What exactly does that mean, besides us having to write out more checks?

  • For our Federal License we needed 20 hours class time, We needed to pass Federal Background checks, We needed to have our Credit Reports checked and we needed to pass the licensing exam.
  • For our State License we had additional class time (varies by state), We had to pass the State Test, In NJ we had to pass a State Background check (NJ must not trust the Federal check!) we also need 12 hours of Continuing education.

head scratch

 

Now you have an idea of what it entails to get that NMLS number you see on business cards etc...

But there is more: Because of the NMLS you now have a place to check on your Mortgage Guy or Mortgage Gal.

The NMLS Consumer Access Site

This is a useful off shoot of the NMLS:  As a Consumer, or a Realtor you can click on the above link or type in nmlsconsumeraccess.org in your web browser and check up on any Licensed Mortgage person

 

There is quite a bit of information here:

  •  
    • Where they worked in the past
    • What state they are licensed in
    • Are they Authorized to conduct business
    • Where they currently work
    • And even Branch Licensing info

It is basically a resume provided by Uncle Sam that lets you know that your Loan Officer is "fit for duty"

Not every loan officer is required to be licensed. As of today, Loan officers that work for a Federally Chartered bank are not required to do any of the above, No class time, no back ground checks, no credit report, and they don't have to pass a test.

So, over a year ago I was poked, prodded fingerprinted (twice), tested and I am an Officially Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator. #248937 to be exact

Now you know where you can check up on me, or on any Mortgage Loan Originator you may be considering to handle the biggest transaction in your lifetime!

Have a great week.

Rob

Robert Rauf

Mortgage Loan Originator/Mortgage Banker

NMLS ID# 248937

www.RobertRaufHomeLoans.com   or my blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/rrauf

(732)223-1630 x102

RRauf@REMN.com

Since 1987 I have been helping my clients fulfill their dream of home ownership!

Real Estate Mortgage Network Inc.

remn 

 disclosure

 

 NJ Mortgages, New Jersey Mortgages, Mortgages in NJ, mortgage in New Jersey, Mortgages in New Jersey, Toms River NJ 08753, Toms River NJ 08755,  Brick NJ 08723, Brick NJ 08724 Mortgages in Ocean County NJ, Mortgages in Monmouth County NJ, Jackson NJ 08527, Howell NJ 07731

Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

Susie, it is all good news, I am 100% in favor of licensing etc.. but it should be a level playing field which it certainly is not at this point...

Apr 20, 2011 03:45 AM
Phil Hillerman
Crye-Leike Realtors® - Rogers, AR
Crye-Leike Realtors®

Thanks for the link I will check out my loan officers and I think I will be checking on some of the ones I don't use.  Have a great day.

Apr 20, 2011 08:05 AM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

You are welcome Phil... It is a useful tool to play with.

Apr 20, 2011 08:30 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Robert, its nice to know mortgage loan officers are required to meet certain criteria for federal and state licensing. Sounds like you're the guy to go to. Thanks.

Apr 20, 2011 08:54 AM
Robert Hammerstein -
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Rob - Thanks for this link... Can be very useful to both us as well as consumers.... I'm gonna go check out some of my lenders now... thanks...

Apr 20, 2011 08:54 AM
Susan Mangigian
RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA
Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Woo hoo!  Congrats on the feature!

 

Apr 20, 2011 09:04 AM
Ryan Frost
Compass Lending Solutions, LLC - Draper, UT

What are you thoughts on this idea? Spend all of the time that they wasted on these new loan officer compensation rules and weed out the people in our industry who are not willing to comply with the NMLS licensing requirements.

Apr 20, 2011 09:17 AM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

Thanks Mike!

Bob and Lisa, it can be a great tool for everyone, even I would use it to check on recruits!

Thank you Susie!  I like my little gold star!

Ryan, I agree with licensing, it just should be for EVERYONE!!!! everything else that has been put together to help the consumer has actually hurt them... even Dodd Frank, the sole purpose was to protect the consumer, yet it equates to a higher rate and the inability to negotiate... very un American... but an entirely different topic!

Apr 20, 2011 09:30 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Rob, having seen the DIFFERENCES of those not licensed I would prefer to direct people to the licensed loan officers. Great post.

Apr 20, 2011 10:01 AM
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

Robert: Eventually probably everyone will be required to tested and licensed including bank loan officers. I think it's all good! Thanks for the post!

Apr 20, 2011 11:50 AM
Rodney Mason, VP of Mtg Lending
Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Atlanta, GA
AL,AR,AZ,CA,CO,FL,GA,IN,MI,MS,NC,NV,SC,TN,TX,VA,WA

I know of a few loan officers who have been turned down for licenses by the state of GA.  Some of those now work for banks as LO's.  I bet their borrowers don't know that.

Apr 20, 2011 03:26 PM
Beth Paterson
Reverse Mortgages SIDAC, LLC, NMLS #1790592 - Saint Paul, MN
CRMP, NMLS #342859

Great post, Bob!  We worked hard to get our NMLS license (only a 60% pass rate on the tests) so people need to know the difference of being licensed and registered.  I too agree with the licensing requirement and think it should be a level playing field, i.e. the bank and credit union LO's should also have to go through the same requirements.

Rodney, #16, many who didn't pass the tests have gone to work for the banks and you're right I bet most people don't know that they aren't licensed.  Please help spread the word sharing Bob's info that mortgage brokers have to be licensed and banks and credit unions are only registered.  Encourage everyone to use the link Bob shared.

Apr 20, 2011 05:28 PM
Evelyn Kennedy
Alain Pinel Realtors - Alameda, CA
Alameda, Real Estate, Alameda, CA

Rob:

Why are loan officers from federally charter banks exempt?  It doesn't make sense.  All lenders should be test and certified by the NMLS.  Thanks for the information.

Apr 20, 2011 06:52 PM
Anonymous
Helen Williams

Right on Rob!  I still cannot understand why banks, brokers, and credit unions are not all held to the same standard!  In Oregon I have had to have 20 hours ever 2 years for a very long time-- for me the state test was a tad more challenging than the National--- but I still wonder why so many questions on the National test involved loan products not available any more---  does anyone out there have a SISANE loan? (IE- Stated Income, Stated Asset, No employment)---  or Neg Am loans?   Oh well, I love what I do, I just get a tad bit frustrated with the 'Unintended Consequence's" of the new rules we all have to follow now.

Apr 21, 2011 05:41 AM
#19
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Hi Rob, this is good information. It is always good to have accountability.

Apr 21, 2011 07:40 AM
Mike West
Heritage Oak Properties - El Dorado Hills, CA
El Dorado Hills, CA CDPE, CNE, Licensed Loan Origi

I am my own loan officer.  It sure simplifies the communication!

Apr 21, 2011 08:11 AM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

Mike, your borrowers can check up on you with the link.

Sandi, I am glad you found it useful!

Helen, I thought NJ's test was harder than the Federal one as well, more trick questions... but I scored well on both thankfully!

Evelyn, it is crazy that some how Federal trumps Federal!  I bet it has to do with political donations, but that is just my guess... Now that banks realise they are being adversly selected they may sing a different tune.

Beth, when the test first came out about 70% failed it the first time, (probalby because they did not think they had to study) From what I hear on the street now it is about a 70% pass rate, but the other issues - Credit etc- have kept many LO's from being able to be licensed.

Rodney, EXACTLY why they need to check up on them!

Paul, I agree.. .it is only a matter of time.

Gary... as with any business- there are some bad apples!

Apr 22, 2011 09:21 AM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

Mike, your borrowers can check up on you with the link.

Sandi, I am glad you found it useful!

Helen, I thought NJ's test was harder than the Federal one as well, more trick questions... but I scored well on both thankfully!

Evelyn, it is crazy that some how Federal trumps Federal!  I bet it has to do with political donations, but that is just my guess... Now that banks realise they are being adversly selected they may sing a different tune.

Beth, when the test first came out about 70% failed it the first time, (probalby because they did not think they had to study) From what I hear on the street now it is about a 70% pass rate, but the other issues - Credit etc- have kept many LO's from being able to be licensed.

Rodney, EXACTLY why they need to check up on them!

Paul, I agree.. .it is only a matter of time.

Gary... as with any business- there are some bad apples!

Apr 22, 2011 09:21 AM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I had no idea that we could check up on our mortage loan officers.

Apr 22, 2011 03:17 PM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

Jim, you can check up on ones that have gone through the licensing system...  If they are not there, they probably are not licensed, and probably did not take the test.

Apr 25, 2011 07:02 AM