Brokers Seeking Own 'Brand'

Realtors have their capital "R," Good Housekeeping has its Seal of Approval, and now the National Association of Mortgage Brokers wants its own symbol so would-be borrowers will know its 25,000 members are honest and qualified.The branding initiative is part of the agenda for the coming year of the new NAMB president, George Hanzimanolis. "The seal would be a way for NAMB brokers to set ourselves apart in the mortgage community as responsible mortgage originators that consumers can rely on for ethical behavior, knowledge, and honesty," the Tannersville, Pa., broker said in his acceptance speech at the NAMB's annual convention in Seattle. Under the program, which is still in development, a "Lending Integrity" seal would be made available to all qualified NAMB members, said Mr. Hanzimanolis, who is president of Bankers First Mortgage. Besides the new seal, the NAMB is working on creating new specialized professional certifications and designations that will be useful in marketing to potential customers.