Choosing a mortgage company is more than finding the right place to close loans. For loan officers, the right company can mean having experienced people to turn to, a manager who is willing to teach, and a team that genuinely cares about your success. Melissa Lintner (NMLS #1333040)walked into the mortgage industry with zero experience. She needed a company that would teach her the business, not toss her in and hope she figured it out.

She found that at Gershman Mortgage. Here’s why she chose Gershman and why she plans to continue building her career here.

Starting a Mortgage Career with the Right Support

When Melissa first began considering a career in the mortgage industry, she knew she needed more than a recognizable company name.

She was brand new to the industry and had no prior experience. What she was really looking for was a mortgage company where she could learn about the business from people who were willing to invest their time and knowledge in her.

“I did not want just to be thrown to the wolves and expected to sink or swim straight out of the gate,” she explained.

For a new loan officer, that kind of support can be especially important. Learning the mortgage industry means navigating loan guidelines, underwriting questions, borrowers, real estate partners, and countless moving pieces. Having experienced professionals available to answer questions and provide guidance can make the learning curve much more manageable.

Why Melissa Chose Gershman Mortgage

After speaking with several mortgage companies, her first conversation with Gershman stood out.

When she met Assistant Vice President and Branch Operations Manager Kim Nickless (NMLS #274943), she immediately felt comfortable. Instead of feeling like she was being sold on a company, she felt like Kim was genuinely interested in getting to know her.

“She never talked down to me, and I felt like I had known her for years,” she said.

That personal connection became an important part of her decision.

While other companies focused heavily on their own accomplishments and numbers, Melissa was looking for something different. She wanted someone to take an interest in her, her goals, and her development as a loan officer.

That distinction ultimately helped set Gershman apart.

Mentorship That Goes Beyond the First Day

Kim wasn’t the only person who played an important role in her early career.

When Sr. Vice President and Branch Manager Scott Alberson (NMLS #254738) became involved, she found another mentor who was willing to help her learn the business. She could call him with questions, talk through situations, and get his perspective when she wasn’t sure what to do.

“I took everything he said very seriously,” she said.

That type of ongoing mentorship can be especially valuable for loan officers who are building their careers. Training isn’t something that necessarily ends after onboarding. Mortgage lending presents new scenarios and challenges every day, and having experienced people available to help work through those situations can make a meaningful difference.

For her, the combination of Kim and Scott helped her navigate an industry she entered with no prior experience.

Building a Long-Term Career, One Loan at a Time

If you’re aspiring to have a long career in the mortgage industry, it helps to join a company that’s already gone the distance. Gershman Mortgage has been helping people finance homes since 1955. That’s more than 70 years of rate swings, hot markets, and slow ones. We’re still independently owned, and we still underwrite our loans in-house.

That accessibility is an important part of what makes a workplace feel like more than just a place to work.

What Should Loan Officers Look for in a Mortgage Company?

For loan officers considering a move, her advice is straightforward: look beyond the company name and the numbers.

Find the people.

“Finding a reliable team of people to work with is probably the most important consideration,” she said.

She recommends sitting down with the people you would be working with and asking challenging questions. Get to know them. Learn how they operate. Find out whether they are people you can trust and work well with.

Because mortgage lending is a relationship-driven business, the people around you matter.

She also advises that loan officers should look for people who have strong morals, are willing to help, and care about more than just business.

When a Professional Relationship Becomes Personal

For Melissa, the value of those relationships has extended beyond her career.

Over the past year, she has experienced significant personal challenges, and during that time, Kim and Scott continued to check in on her, not because they needed something from her professionally, but simply because they cared about how she was doing.

And that means a lot.

It is an example of the kind of workplace relationship that can be difficult to measure on a spreadsheet but can make a lasting impact on someone’s experience at a company.

Finding the Right Mortgage Company for Your Career

For loan officers considering a move, there are plenty of factors worth evaluating: compensation, products, technology, marketing resources, operational support, and company reputation.

But there is another question worth asking:

Who will be in your corner when you need help?

Production numbers matter. But when a loan gets messy at 4 p.m. on a Friday, you want people who’ll pick up the phone. It is built through relationships, mentorship, trust, and having a team that is invested in helping you continue to grow.

Melissa describes her job as being like a puzzle with 5,000 pieces and having about 30 days to put it together. Every loan can bring a different set of circumstances, questions, and challenges. Knowing she has people she can turn to when those challenges arise gives her confidence in tackling them.

That last part matters day to day. When Melissa has an underwriting question, she’s not stuck waiting in a queue somewhere else. She’s asking people who work for the same company she does.

Whether she has an underwriting question or simply needs to talk through a situation, she knows she can reach out to her team. For Melissa, those relationships were a major reason she chose Gershman—and why she continues to see it as the place where she can build her career.

Thinking About Your Next Career Move?

If you’re a loan officer looking for a mortgage company where relationships, mentorship, and long-term career growth matter, we’d love to start a conversation. Check out our openings here.

Learn more about opportunities with Gershman Mortgage and discover what your next chapter could look like.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should loan officers look for when choosing a mortgage company?

Loan officers should consider factors such as mentorship, leadership, operational support, loan products, technology, marketing resources, company culture and opportunities for long-term career growth. It is also important to meet the people you work with and understand how they support their loan officers.

Why is mentorship important for new loan officers?

 Mentorship can help new loan officers learn the mortgage industry, navigate unfamiliar situations and develop confidence in their roles. Having experienced professionals available to answer questions can provide valuable guidance as a loan officer builds experience.

What questions should a loan officer ask before joining a mortgage company?

Loan officers can ask about training, mentorship, underwriting and operations support, marketing resources, technology, communication, leadership accessibility, and opportunities for professional development. It can also be helpful to ask how the company supports loan officers when challenges arise.

How important is company culture for loan officers?

 Company culture can play an important role in a loan officer’s long-term experience. Mortgage lending is highly relationship-driven, so having a team that communicates well, collaborates, and provides support can influence how a loan officer experiences their day-to-day work.

What makes Gershman Mortgage different for loan officers?

Gershman Mortgage emphasizes relationships, collaboration, and long-term career development. Individual experiences can vary by branch and team, but mentorship and access to experienced professionals can be important parts of a loan officer’s experience at the company.

How can loan officers find the right mortgage company for their career?

Start by identifying what you need to be successful, then talk directly with the people you would work with. Ask about mentorship, support, culture, resources, and expectations. Look for a team where you can build genuine professional relationships and see yourself growing over the long term.

How long has Gershman Mortgage been in business?

Gershman Mortgage has been serving individuals and families for over 70 years and counting – making us one of the oldest independently owned mortgage companies in the United States.

At Gershman Mortgage, communities, families, and homes are at the heart of what we do. We’ve been doing this since 1955 – over 70 years of helping people finance homes across the Midwest and beyond. We’re independently owned, underwrite loans in-house, and are licensed in 22 states. Built on the core values of honesty, integrity, entrepreneurial spirit, and customer-first service, we’re committed to providing an exceptional homebuying experience. Our goal is simple: to exceed expectations and build lifelong relationships.

NMLS #138063 16253 Swingley Ridge Road Suite 200 Chesterfield, MO 63017 (800) 457-2357 Equal Housing Lender. Serving borrowers in: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin