Mortgage Broker vs. Loan Officer

When you're looking to get a mortgage loan, you may work with a loan officer or you may choose to work with a mortgage broker. People often confuse the two job types even though both will glean the same results: a new home. However, it is important to understand the difference between the two types of jobs so you know what to expect from them during the mortgage application process.

A mortgage broker is an individual or firm that acts as an independent agent for both the borrower and the lender of a mortgage loan.

Mortgage brokers are the middle man between you and the lending institution, which can be a bank, trust company, credit union, mortgage corporation, finance company or even an individual private investor. A mortgage broker will analyze your financial situation to determine which lender is the best fit for your loan needs. He or she will submit your mortgage application to one or more lenders in order to sell it, and works with the chosen lender until the loan closes. He or she receives a commission from the borrower if the loan closes.

A loan officer is a representative of a lending institution, such as a bank, who works to sell and process mortgages and other loans originated by their employer. They often have a wide variety of loans types to draw from, but all originate from that specific lender.

Also known as a loan representative or account executive, loan officers represent the borrower to the lending institution and will guide him or her through the selection, processing and closing of mortgage loan. Loan officers can be paid a commission or salary for their services.

Why choose a mortgage broker?

Over 50% of Americans do. Brokers provide consumers with:

• Choice
• Convenience
• Expertise

The consumer receives an expert mentor through the complex mortgage lending process. The broker offers the consumer extensive choices and access to affordable home loans while balancing the consumer’s financial interests and goals.

Have more Americans been able to buy homes because of mortgage brokers?

Yes! Mortgage brokers have pioneered the “subprime” credit market, using innovative loan packages to allow low- to moderate-income borrowers, with less than perfect credit histories, to start enjoying the benefits of home-ownership.

Does the mortgage broker really care about the quality of the loan itself?

Yes, absolutely. The safety and soundness of the mortgage lending community is directly linked to the success and integrity of its home loan originations. Furthermore, mortgage brokers represent the single largest residential origination source today, emphasizing that they play a significant role in the mortgage loan process. These numbers highlight the fact that consumers who exercise their choice, choose mortgage brokers; most likely because brokers are dedicated to their customers: consumers, wholesale lenders, and ultimately, American tax-payers.

What role does the broker play versus the wholesale lender?

The wholesale lender underwrites and funds the home loan, may service the loan payments, and ensure the loans’ compliance with underwriting guidelines. The broker, on the other hand, originates the loan. A detailed application process, financial and credit worthiness investigation, and extensive disclosure requirements must be completed in order for a wholesale lender to evaluate a consumer’s home loan request. The broker simplifies this process for the borrower and wholesale lender, by conducting this research, counseling consumers on their loan package choices, and enabling them to select the right loan for their home buying needs.

The mortgage loan process can be arduous, costly, and seemingly impossible to the consumer. The broker works as the liaison between the borrower and the lender to create a cost effective and efficient loan process. Many low income borrowers with less than perfect credit histories would not have been able to purchase their dream home without the assistance and dedication of a mortgage broker.

Do brokers work for the wholesale lender or the consumer?

Neither. As an independent contractor, the broker allows wholesaler lenders to cut origination costs by providing such services as preparing the borrower’s loan package, loan application, funding process, and counseling the borrower. Brokers help keep loan rates low due to their minimal overhead and setup costs. Furthermore, the broker will seek the loan which best suits the borrower’s financial circumstances, needs, and goals. From the consumer perspective, with rare exception, the broker does not get paid unless and until the loan closes. Thus, the broker has the ultimate incentive to provide the best possible customer service to the consumer.

Brokers Handle the Details!

There are literally thousands of variables that can affect the outcome of your mortgage transaction. That's why you need a mortgage broker to act as a liaison between the title and escrow company, real estate agent, lender, appraiser, credit agency, the underwriters, the processors, attorneys, and any other services which may affect your transaction.

A mortgage broker also:

• Discusses and explains financing program options
• Informs you, in writing, of lock-in options
• Explains all documents of the loan application
• Explains all associated costs of the loan application
• Explains the disbursement of all loan applications
• Explains the loan process, from application to closing
• Provides you with a good faith estimate of cost and fees
• Communicates with you throughout the loan process in a timely manner
• Coordinates the final closing of your transaction

Broker #15313