Mortgage brokers have become an important part of bringing financing to homeowners. Banks and credit unions offer consumers services that brokers cannot, but they also have more regulation and hold much higher standards than brokers.

Loan officers at any banking institution are merely employees of that institution. While they may have some flexibility in tailoring a loan to fit a specific need, they are confined to the products that particular institution has to offer its consumers. Many consumers prefer to do all their business with a bank, for not only the convenience they offer but for the relationships that they establish. Banks can make simple transactions even simpler with automatic payment options, online banking, investment products and full service financial needs.

Loan officer are employees of their banking institution. Perhaps you have built a long relationship with your bank and can get a loan on a whim. For many consumers, a bank is the only financing vehicle they would ever consider because they like the relationship and the atmosphere of a bank. It is not only the relationship with your favorite teller that entices consumers to stay with banks. Today there are so many services such as online bill pay and financial planning, that the consumer feels as though they have everything they need for their bank account under one roof.

But there are many consumers with less than perfect backgrounds and credit histories that most banks will not deal with. And this is where mortgage brokers can be helpful. Most brokers work as independent agents. They can solicit to many different lending institutions and find different programs to match the consumers personas situation. They are particularly helpful in situations where the consumer has less than perfect credit or some other flaw in their history. Banks generally will not finance someone with a history such as this.

Brokers can usually offer lower interest rates for their clients because they are working in the wholesale market. But a consumer should become educated in the fees that their broker is charging before the close a loan. Many times these fees will outweigh the lower interest rate. Today all brokers must disclose this information prior to closing the loan.

In the wake of the recent economic downturn, brokers have come under attack for less unscrupulous business practices. They now have to disclose information to the consumer in terms of hidden fees, Truth in Lending documents, Good Faith Estimates and other pertinent information that the consumer must understand before signing their loan.

Brokers must be licensed and spend time taking mortgage broker courses. There are regulatory commissions that monitor practices in all part of the world. This has helped in regulating the industry to ensure that the consumer and the broker are protected with knowledge and practice of the law.

In 2007 consumer laws became stronger and the requirement for mortgage brokers became stricter. Nonetheless, consumers must protect themselves and should investigate any bank and any mortgage broker they choose to work with prior to becoming involved in a business transaction.

Author Bio: A career as Mortgage brokers can be very rewarding. If you have a good head for numbers, consider enrolling in a Mortgage broker course.

Category: Finances
Keywords: mortgage, house, family, business, finance, real estate, interest, loan, insurance, careers