Why I left the big bank.
In 2011 I was a teller at a bank branch on Church Street. I watched a nurse, a mechanic and a young couple with a baby on the way all get turned down for mortgages in the same month. On paper they looked risky. In real life they were some of the most responsible people who walked through our doors.
I started asking underwriters why, and the answers were almost always about documentation, not ability to pay. So I got licensed, learned every program I could, and made it my job to translate between real lives and lending guidelines.
In 2022 I moved to an independent broker model so I could compare lenders for each client instead of fitting everyone into one rate sheet. The napkin math, the evening calls and the Friday updates came with me.
A good loan officer makes you smarter about your money, not just approved.
- 2011
Teller at a Parramore bank branch
Watched neighbors get turned away for loans they could afford. Decided to learn why.
- 2014
Licensed loan originator
Closed 41 loans in year one, mostly FHA for first-time buyers in west Orlando.
- 2018
Self-employed specialty
Built a reputation for bank statement loans after helping 60+ small business owners buy homes.
- 2022
Independent practice
Moved to a broker model to shop lenders for every client instead of offering one bank's rate sheet.
- 2026
1,900+ families financed
Still answering my own phone, and still explaining escrow on napkins when needed (sample figures).
