Admin

Mortgage Broker, Banker, Lender or Correspondent.

By
Mortgage and Lending with Southeast Mortgage

With the changing times, laws, markets, etc., it is hard to figure out what to do if you are in the mortgage business. I am currently a mortgage broker. The government seems intent on blaming the mortgage crisis on brokers and then passing laws to run them out of business. So much for us honest folks.

Mortgage correspondent companies are like brokers except that they close the loan in their own name and then sell it. They do in house underwriting and then use a warehouse line to fund the loan and then sell it. They have to follow the same rules as a broker does these days. Show yield spread, etc.

A lender is like a bank but they do not take deposits. Therefore they are not a bank and not under the FDIC. The rules are a little more lenient on them.

Bank mortgage originators do not have to get licensed, do not have to pass any tests, do not have to show any yield spread to the borrower. They get paid with a service release premium when they sell the loan. However, they do have to work for the bank. Ask a WF loan officer how they like their job these days.

Figuring out where to "hang your shingle" these days is a hard choice. Any comments out there from other originators?

 

Comments(5)

Show All Comments Sort:
Tom Caulfield
First Financial Lending Corp. - Grosse Pointe, MI

Mark:  Call me crazy but I just moved into the broker world.  Worked for 2 Large banks over the last 8 + years.  I decided to jump into the broker world for various reasons.  #1, the Broker is looking to buy or become a bank, #2, the Big banks just DO NOT CARE for the customer anymore.  My business partner and I are all about service.

Yes it is going to be a bit harder for the Broker, corespondent, etc. But it is also going to be harder for the banks.  Bank LO's will be forced to get licensed.  And from what I am hearing, the big guys are basically looking to place LO's in their bank branches to service bank customers. 

I really do not know for sure which is going to be the best place for any of us.  But I am like you.  Never wrote any junk deals, and my customer comes first - Regardless of where I work. 

Keep me in the loop on your progress.  Feel free to e-mail me at anytime.  I too am trying to figure this out. Right now I am happy with our decision, but change is inevitable!

TOM

Feb 03, 2010 02:16 AM
Mark Towler
Southeast Mortgage - Atlanta, GA

Tom,

I interviewed with a lender today. Not a bank, broker or correspondent. This is a non-depository lender. None of the terrible new rules apply to them. No YSP disclosure, etc. They are a small company and do everything in-house. Very impressive operation. None of the problems of working for one of the big boys, yet none of the hassles of being a broker.

I am fine with being licensed...I have already passed both state and national tests. I want to be licensed and let the others who do not want (or can't) be licensed leave the business.

It does stink for folks like you and me who did things right, yet pay the penalty for the sins of a few.

Good luck.

Feb 03, 2010 10:21 AM
Mark Towler
Southeast Mortgage - Atlanta, GA

When I say amall its kind of relative. They have 5 branches and over 100 MLO's. I am would venture a guess they have a net worth of over $3 million fairly easily. However, I will ask. Thanks for your response and sorry to hear about your company. My old company was an 18 yr old business. It seems like the government is trying to put the small, honest lender/broker out of business.

Feb 04, 2010 10:14 PM
John Cassels
Sterling Savings Bank - Tacoma, WA
NMLS #197076

Mark,

I worked for a Correspondent Lender for a few years; the overlays seemed to be getting more strict recently.  Numerous times I was told by Operations/Underwritig that even thought a condition wasn't a guideline requirement "the bank" was requiring it. I recently switched to a Guild who is a private lender and does service the majority of their own loans.  I can honestly say that it has been a dramatic improvement in my closings.

 

Feb 05, 2010 04:16 AM
Mark Towler
Southeast Mortgage - Atlanta, GA

Thanks John. I worry about the future of all lenders here in GA. The state legislature is trying to pass a law that stops ysp for brokers, etc. That would leave just the banks, and of course higher rates for the consumer. Scary, crazy times we all have these days.

Feb 05, 2010 09:04 AM