How mortgage brokers want to ‘shape the future’ of lending 

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The views expressed in this column are solely those of the author.

Earlier this month, a powerful group of mortgage professionals gathered in Washington, D.C., for the Broker Action Coalition's (BAC) third-annual Advocacy in Action conference. What began as a small but determined effort to establish visibility on Capitol Hill has matured into a full-blown legislative campaign to reshape how policymakers understand — and support — the broker community.

At the heart of this effort is Brendan McKay, BAC's co-founder and chief advocacy officer. His ambitious goal? To build BAC into a lasting institution — "one that advocates for mortgage brokers regardless of who is in leadership and continues its mission year after year, just like MBA or NAR."

Organizing for change: A broker-led movement

Launched by brokers for brokers, the BAC is designed to give independent mortgage professionals a voice in the legislative and regulatory decisions that shape their livelihoods. 

At this year's conference, more than 150 brokers from across the country gathered to meet with members of Congress and advocate for critical legislation, including the reintroduction of a bipartisan bill aimed at banning predatory trigger leads.

"Last year, we took a bill from zero support to the doorstep of passing," McKay said. "This year, with even more industry unity, we're determined to push it through. The difference-maker is collaboration — with brokers, lenders and even organizations like the MBA."

That collaboration, McKay stressed, has become a hallmark of BAC's strategic model. "We're aligned with the MBA on 95% of issues," he said. "And even where we disagree, we can act like adults and coordinate strategically."

Countering 'misinformation and stigma around VA loans'

A recurring theme at this year's event was the urgent need for greater advocacy on behalf of veterans, who do not always receive accurate or comprehensive information from mortgage and real estate professionals. "There's a lot of misinformation and stigma around VA loans," said Gay Veale, a retired Air Force veteran, loan officer and chair of BAC's veteran homeownership initiative.

Soon after launching her lending career, Veale noticed a widespread lack of education and support for veteran borrowers. "I started to see how many veterans didn't understand their own VA loan benefits — and how many professionals in the industry didn't either," she said. 

"There are Realtors who still tell their clients not to accept VA offers — that veterans have 'no skin in the game,' which is both offensive and completely wrong," Veale emphasized. "When you serve your country and earn that benefit, it's not just a loan — it's a right." 

Mike Alberico, a broker from North Carolina and longtime VA loan educator, shares Veale's passion for advocacy and reform. "I've seen veterans steered into FHA or conventional loans when they qualify for VA," he said. "Sometimes it's outright predatory. Other times, it's just ignorance. But either way, it's wrong."

One of Alberico's top advocacy priorities is to implement an "informed consumer choice" disclosure for VA loans, similar to what currently exists for FHA loans. "We believe veterans deserve to see a side-by-side comparison — with actual numbers — before being steered into something else," he explained. "It's a transparency issue. And it's about dignity."

From startups to scale: A new generation of broker leaders

While BAC has a grassroots ethos, it's also attracting high-growth broker leaders who see advocacy as both a moral responsibility and a business imperative. One of them is Scott Valins, founder of Go Rascal, a Brooklyn-based mortgage brokerage that has grown from five to nearly 300 loan officers in under three years.

Valins emphasized the need for brokers to "own their voice" and become more politically active. "Brokers are no longer a niche," he said. "We're becoming an equally prominent channel to retail lenders. And if we want to shape the future, we can't wait to be invited into the room. We need to build our own door."

He pointed to issues like the 15-basis-point capital surcharge on brokered loans and the flawed APR calculation on borrower-paid compensation as examples of inequities that must be addressed. "These aren't sexy issues," Valins said. "But they cost borrowers thousands and put brokers at a disadvantage. We need to be at the table — because if we're not, we're probably on the menu."

A vision for the future

If there was one theme that resonated throughout the conference, it was this: There's strength in showing up. Whether the issue is trigger leads, loan officer comp reform or VA modernization, organized brokers are no longer a fringe voice.

"We don't just point out problems — we show up with solutions," said McKay. "And that's how we win. We educate. We organize. And we advocate like hell."

As the Broker Action Coalition continues to grow, so too does its ability to shape the national conversation about home lending. In a city where access and influence matter, BAC is making sure brokers aren't just heard — they're leading the charge.

Coby Hakalir has been a leader in the mortgage industry for almost three decades. He currently leads the mortgage banking and mortgage tech division for T3 Sixty, one of real estate's most respected management consultancies, and resides in Northern California. (Note: Real Estate News is an editorially independent division of T3 Sixty.)