Lending from a Lender or Bank When choosing a mortgage, it’s important to not only consider what type of loan you’re looking for but also what lender you should choose. In addition to banks, known in the mortgage industry as “direct lenders,” there is a constellation of independent mortgage brokers who can help you secure a quality loan. However, particularly for a first-time home buyer, it can be hard to understand the difference between those two options. In general, banks allow you to be more hands-on during the borrowing process and tend to be cheaper while brokers allow you to secure a complicated loan while shopping around. Here is what you can expect from lending with a bank or mortgage brokers. Lending From a Bank Securing a loan directly from your local financial institution allows you to forgo the middleman in the mortgage process. Loan officers at banks work directly with underwriters and the lending institution to give you more control over your loan ap...