The Perfect Storm: Why the Biggest Opportunity in Mortgage Origination is Right Now Deb Killian, Founder & Instructor at CLOES.online 35+ years managing over $1 billion in real estate loans Let’s be brutally honest about the last three years in the mortgage industry. With interest rates hovering at their highest levels in decades, we’ve seen a massive shrinkage in loan originations. It has been a painful period of margin compression and stalled pipelines. We’ve watched seasoned …
Many mortgage loan originators (MLOs) assume cybersecurity is primarily the responsibility of the company’s IT department. In reality, MLOs are often the first line of defense—and sometimes the greatest point of vulnerability. Mortgage originators routinely handle highly sensitive nonpublic personal information (NPI), including: Tax returns, Pay stubs, Bank statements, Credit reports, Social Security numbers, Driver’s licenses, and Wire transfer information. Because MLOs communicate constantly through email, mobile devices, cloud platforms, CRMs, and third-party applications, they …
The journey to becoming a licensed mortgage professional often feels like navigating a complex maze of regulatory requirements and tight deadlines. At CLOES.online, we believe that understanding the sequence of the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) is the first step toward building a thriving career. We are dedicated to simplifying this path for every aspiring originator. Create Your NMLS Account and ID The first logistical step involves setting up your personal profile on the NMLS …
Passing the exam is required. Competency is expected. Every NMLS-approved 20-Hour SAFE Act course technically checks the same regulatory box. That does not mean they prepare you equally for the realities of mortgage lending. Most courses are built to help you pass a test. Ours is built to help you retain the content, understand your role when working with borrowers, and pass the test! Enroll Now What Most 20-Hour Courses Actually Deliver Many national providers focus …
Are Your MLOs Truly Independent Contractors?
Many mortgage companies classify Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) as independent contractors. However, federal laws—including the Department of Labor’s guidelines, IRS rulings, and the SAFE Act—suggest otherwise. These regulations emphasize that MLOs often function as employees due to factors like company control, lack of independent business operations, and mandatory sponsorship requirements. Misclassification can lead to significant legal and financial repercussions.
Read our latest blog post to understand the implications and ensure your compliance.