Yes, loan officers move and get recruited much like agents do, and the recruiting money can quietly affect your quote. Independent mortgage banks compete hard for top producers, sometimes with sizable signing bonuses tied to an officer's recent production. Those bonuses often have to be earned back under contract, and that pressure can surface as higher rates or fees for the borrower. So shop the loan itself, whoever is selling it: - Compare Loan Estimates from more than one lender. - Look at the rate and the total fees side by side. - Ask how the person is compensated. A great loan officer is worth a lot, and the numbers still have to hold up on paper. Our own model is built around this. We shop nearly 100 investors to find the best combination of rate and cost for each file, rather than being tied to one balance sheet. If you want a straight read on whether a quote you have been given is competitive, bring it to the free Roadmap call and we will look at the numbers with you.