The Mortgage Draft: Matching Offense to Lending Strategy
This strategy may pressure your pre-qualification letter…
Football season is almost here, and millions of fantasy General Managers are obsessing over their draft boards. When you are “on the clock” should you grab that trusty veteran who consistently adds 25 points week after week, or go deep with that zesty rookie with the low-four forty? If it’s up to me, I prefer the sleepers, because I am all about value.
Since I am terrible at Fantasy Football, I’ll stick to what I know, which is mortgages. I enjoy writing, so let me draw a quick parallel… you need to look at drafting a mortgage originator like it’s part of your fantasy housing roster. When you are borrowing money, you're not just the general manager making picks, you're also the head coach calling the plays to move the ball.
Bill Belichick shined by leveraging the running game or a spread offense based on his personnel. Likewise, you need to decide what lending philosophy matches your financial situation. Then ask yourself if you prefer the no frills ground and pound that favors reliability? Perhaps you prefer the creative, innovative approach of an Andy Reid?
Every bank, credit union, and brokerage runs its own "scheme." Some prefer to pound the ball between the A and B gaps with a single back. Others spread the field wide and rack up yards with the deep threat. RPOs can be exciting systems but realize they only work when you've got exactly the right personnel.
Hopefully you refrain from the auto-draft method and manually select the players that match your system. The smartest borrowers don't just pick any lender, they research and decide what kind of "offense" they want to run with a rate sheet that matches their coaching philosophy.
Now grab your favorite color of Gatorade, collect your dry erase pens, and let's break down the Mortgage Draft Board for Fall 2025. Five coaching philosophies, five offensive schemes, and five distinct types of lenders that could help you execute your game plan and score the ultimate touchdown: homeownership.
Think Like Bill Parcells? Draft a Big Bank (Power Run Offense)
Pigskin Parallel: Remember the dominance of the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s? Aikman and Irvin always put on a good show, but it was Smith that made it clinical. Emmitt let that massive offensive line create a hole, and methodically marched down the field. Madden said it wasn't pretty, but it got results.
However, it was Bill Parcells not Jimmy Johnson that epitomized this approach. The Big Tuna was no-nonsense, fundamentally focused, and required everyone to be a blocker. "You are what your record says you are," he reminded the press. His teams reflected that philosophy: tough, reliable, and a championship contender.
Mortgage Model: Look no further than your national banking giants: Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America. Like Parcells coaching the Giants, they believe in fundamentals: massive infrastructure, proven technology, and the rates to grind out victories even when the game gets tough.
Their Playbook:
Massive resources that permit loan amounts of any size
Standardized processes refined over decades
Relationship advantages provide their existing client base a home field advantage
When They Excel: Big banks dominate when your financial profile fits their mold perfectly. Think steady W-2 income, excellent credit scores and traditional property. They’re like the hotdog at Costco, never going away, and for all the wrong reasons. But, they will march you down the field all the way down to the peanut gallery.
Where They Struggle: Predictability can be a weakness. These institutions run the same plays repeatedly, and if your situation requires creativity, unlimited timeouts will not help. If you're self-employed, have unconventional income, or want to finance a unique property don't expect them to go to the booth for a replay.
The Bottom Line: Working with a big bank often feels like watching a methodical 12-play touchdown drive. It gets the job done reliably, but you might have to settle for field goals instead of highlight-reel scores.
Think Like Andy Reid? Draft an Independent Mortgage Broker (Spread Offense)
Pigskin Parallel: The spread offense revolutionized football. From Glanville’s Run & Shoot to the Mahomes Air Raid, this system spreads defenders thin and attacks from every conceivable angle.
Andy Reid perfected this art using creative play-calling, innovative formations, and the ability to find mismatches. He'll call a flea-flicker on 3rd and long or design a play that gets Tyreek Hill matched up against a Mike. Reid sees opportunities where others see problems.
Mortgage Model: That has independent mortgage brokers written all over it. Like Andy, they're constantly scheming, always looking for the creative angle that gets you to the end zone when traditional routes are covered.
Their Playbook:
Multiple wholesale lenders at their disposal (plus the Tackle for an eligible receiver)
Speed and flexibility to pivot when one option gets shut down
Creativity to find unconventional solutions for one of a kind borrowers
Personal attention since you're not just another file number
When They Excel: Brokers shine brightest for borrowers who don't fit the traditional mold. Gig workers, 1099 specialists, real estate investors, or anyone chasing specialized loan programs. Brokers can find the open receiver while traditional lenders cover the obvious routes.
Where They Struggle: Like the Air Raid offense in bad weather, brokers can sometimes stall when regulations tighten or with custom requests like single close construction loans and lot financing.
The Bottom Line: A good broker is like a quarterback with perfect field vision and legs to scramble. Should your first lender get flagged for holding, brokers should be able to make up for the penalty yards and loss of down.
Think Like Bill Walsh? Draft a Credit Union (West Coast Offense)
Pigskin Parallel: Bill Walsh literally invented the West Coast offense and changed the NFL forever. Instead of launching bombs, Walsh revolutionized football with precision missiles via short passes, perfect snap counts, and surgical drives that deconstructed defenses.
Walsh believed in fundamentals and preparation, but prioritized treating every player with respect. His "scripted plays" approach meant the first 15 plays of every game were carefully planned, designed to set the tone through precision.
Mortgage Model: Welcome to the credit union model, the Bill Walsh approach to lending. Like Walsh's 49ers, credit unions succeed through precision, preparation, and genuine care for their "players" (members).
Their Playbook:
Member-first philosophy that prioritizes your interests over shareholders
Competitive rates and lower fees for the perfect catch!
Personal relationships built on community trust
Steady, reliable service without the flashy marketing
When They Excel: Credit unions perfect the fundamentals. Some offer some exotic loan products, but they deliver what matters most: affordability, transparency, and genuine care for their members' financial well-being.
Where They Struggle: Limited brick & mortar and geographical restrictions. Like the West Coast offense, they stick to what works. If you are looking for super jumbo loan amounts or wealth management needs, their concessions stand may not have those snacks.
The Bottom Line: Credit unions run the mortgage equivalent of a flawless 80-yard drive, lacking drama and sidearm throws. They rarely force you into the punt formation.
Think Like Bill Belichick? Draft a Regional/ Community Bank (Pro-Style Offense)
Pigskin Parallel: The hallmark of pro-style offense is adaptability. No coach exemplified this better than than Bill Belichick. Teams like the Patriots could run or pass with equal effectiveness, reading the defense and adjusting at the line of scrimmage.
Belichick's mantra was "do your job” and the everyone bought into his situation schemes. One week he could run the ball 40 times, then the following week throw 50 passes, leveraging their strengths over opponents situational weaknesses. "The Patriot Way" wasn't just a slogan; it was a philosophy of accountability and execution.
The Mortgage Model: Regional and community banks embody a balanced approach to lending. They'll adapt their strategy to the market and focus on the results. Their playbook is a bit more diverse than the big banks and they are a bit more efficient.
Their Playbook:
Flexibility and feature jumbo products and alternative underwriting
Relationship lending where your banker actually knows your name
Quick decision-making without layers of corporate bureaucracy
When They Excel: Community banks shine when local knowledge counts. Need a construction loan or unique local property type? They can call the time out and set up the formation for the perfect play.
Where They Struggle: Sometimes they get squeezed between the rates from the big banks and the speed of brokers. They may lack the deepest product menus to compare apples to apples with the competition.
The Bottom Line: Community banks offer the “Goldilocks” package - not too big and not too small. They can be a perfect fit for borrowers who value relationship and local expertise.
Think Like Pete Carroll? Draft a Private Bank (RPO Specialists)
Pigskin Parallel: Today's offenses love deception, and who else would you select other than Pete Carroll for the job. He mastered the art of modern, dynamic offense, with a sprinkle of RPO and slip in the play-action fake. He would keep you guessing and brought out the best in dual-threat QBs like Russell Wilson. He could punish you with with his arm or his legs and you never knew what was next.
Carroll's philosophy was about creating multiple ways to win. It felt like spin the tail on the playbook because you could often see the deep ball, followed by a scramble, followed by a screen pass. His offenses were designed for players with elite skills who could make the same play look brand new.
Mortgage Model: Private banks and boutique lenders are the Pete Carroll disciples of mortgage lending. They offer sophisticated, multi-option strategies for clients with elite financial profiles.
Their Playbook:
Sophisticated financing strategies most people never hear about
Portfolio products based on assets, not income
Wealth management integration that coordinates lending with investment strategies
Customized terms that adapt to complex financial situations
When They Excel: Private banks execute plays that others can't even see. Need to finance a $5 million vacation home while maintaining your entire stock portfolio? They'll design solutions with all the cheat codes.
Unlike traditional lenders who send files to distant underwriting centers, private banks often make decisions in-house with loan committees focused on relationship. When you're leveraging $10 million in investment assets to buy a property, these teams stack the box with bankers who know your complete financial picture. Here guidelines are guidelines. Rules are for rookies.
Where They Struggle: Sad face because they are not options for everyday borrowers. The minimum account sizes and asset requirements put their services out of reach for most homebuyers. You are likely going to need those hefty deposits and wealth management accounts to get a callback.
The Bottom Line: Private banks are like perfect play action pass that only an elite QB can make. They are not for every play and every player, but when they do it, it’s unstoppable.
Your Championship Strategy?
In fantasy football, your draft determines whether you're golden or going home early. As a head coach selecting your mortgage strategy, and your lineup, you can dictate the outcome.
The secret isn't finding the "best" lender or “lowest” rates. The first call comes from you, deciding what kind of coach you are, how to manage your team, then then drafting the lender that matches your style:
Think Like Bill Parcells? Go Big Bank especially when you want predictability and have a straightforward financials
Think Like Andy Reid? Trade for a Broker because your situation requires creativity and multiple options
Think Like Bill Walsh? Pick a Credit Union when you prioritize community, precision, and competitive rates
Think Like Bill Belichick? Draft that Community Bank for local expertise and adaptability
Think Like Pete Carroll? Select a Private Bank when you need sophisticated, multi-option strategies
As your mortgage originator, my role shifts from offensive coordinator to assistant coach. I help you identify you gameplan (to defend your financial situation), aiding the right offensive scheme (lender type), and then suggest plays that give your team the best chance to drive down the field and score that preverbal six points: homeownership.
At the end of the day, whether you're drafting a fantasy lineup or a mortgage lender, one principle remains constant: the best strategy is the one that matches your philosophy and execution style.
Questions: msiket@libertyfcu.org or (602) 400-6518