“While other lenders have put up barriers and asked people to sign contracts, we are here to build bridges and break barriers by helping mortgage brokers leverage the tools, resources and knowledge Rocket Mortgage has built as the nation’s largest mortgage lender.” said Niemiec. “While other lenders tend to look at the world with a finite view, true leaders view the world with a limitless mindset. The mortgage market is huge, the pie is nearly infinite and it’s our responsibility to help brokers who work with us get a bigger piece of it.”Leveraging Rocket Technology
Having built a digital mortgage experience for consumers, Rocket is now customizing its technology for the broker community. A new digital client portal was announced today. It has been piloting with Rocket Pro TPO’s Pinnacle Partners for the last several months and will launch in December.
The digital portal reimagines the experience by making things simple and easy and gives brokers control. Brokers will be able to upload and e-sign their mortgage documents. Additionally, if a loan is in process and has conditions, brokers will be able to, if they choose, push those conditions directly out to the client or the operations team. Brokers can choose to co-brand this portal with Rocket Pro TPO or just use their own brand.
Helping Brokers Develop and Grow Relationships
Rocket Mortgage has been building relationships with consumers and agents for 36 years. They launched their wholesale channel in 2010. Now they are leveraging their resources and technological expertise to bring these groups together, creating a symbiotic ecosystem that facilitates lending.
Aside from the broker directory that earlier this year was introduced as part of their consumer facing website (115 million uniques), Rocket today introduced new initiatives to help mortgage brokers expand their networks.
Rocket Homes, a fast-growing 50-state home search site that has a nationwide network of nearly 25,000 verified partner agents, will be used to introduce broker to agents and potential buyers. Many homebuyers who visit the Rocket Homes site are not working with a mortgage company. Starting this week when Rocket Homes connects homebuyers with one of its partner agents, the company will also introduce select buyers to one of Rocket Pro TPO’s Pinnacle Partners.
Rocket Pro TPO is also connecting brokers with real estate agents through “Pro Mixers”. These are currently expected to be country-wide monthly events that bring together Rocket agents and brokers. The first Pro Mixer is scheduled to be a 200-person event in San Francisco in November. Details on other events will be released in the months to come.
Let’s be honest though, there are relationships and there are relationships. The best are the ones that stand the test of time. Rocket Pro TPO seems to realize this. The new digital portal will track which realtors mortgage brokers have closed deals with over the last twelve months and Rocket will have no proactive marketing to that agent. They will take measures to protect that broker/realtor relationship so it can grow.
Sharing Their Extensive Marketing Resources
Rocket Mortgage has spent more than $5 billion on marketing since the company was founded. With that comes experience and lessons on how to leverage marketing spend to make the biggest impact. Today, Rocket Pro TPO is launching a completely rebuilt Marketing Hub – providing marketing materials right in the broker portal. The new Marketing Hub has been redesigned to be more intuitive, searchable and easier to use. It also provides more customization than ever before, giving brokers the ability to change the font, color and images on marketing materials to fit their brand. Brokers can also easily create marketing materials that use their own brand, or co-brand with Rocket or their real estate partners. Most importantly, there is a new learning center that gives brokers advice and training so they can use their marketing budget to generate more business.
Enhancing Communications
One year ago, the company created Rocket Connect, an easy way for brokers to communicate with underwriters at Rocket Pro TPO. The company knows brokers need to move fast, especially in this hot purchase market. To make sure all loans keep moving forward, Rocket Pro TPO is adding two big enhancements to the tool. The company committed to a two-hour response window for all Rocket Connect inquiries. In addition, Rocket Connect now gives brokers the ability to immediately escalate to Operations leaders. The new additions to Rocket Connect are now live in the Rocket Pro TPO broker portal.
Conclusion
With these initiatives Rocket Pro TPO seems to be taking an “actions speak louder than words” approach in addressing some recent remarks questioning their commitment to working with and enabling the mortgage brokerage community. As the largest residential lender, they have the resources to be able to support brokers through the cyclical ups and downs of the industry. In a world that seems increasingly divisive it is good to see a company that is focused on trying to support and bring people together.
