If you’ve started shopping for a mortgage, you’ve probably run into the classic question: Should you work with a mortgage broker or go straight to the bank?
Both paths can get you the mortgage you need, but the experience along the way? That’s where things start to feel very different.
Let’s walk through what each option really looks like in plain, human language.
What a Banker Really Does for You
When you work with a bank, you’re stepping into a large, fast-moving system. Most bankers aren’t dedicated mortgage professionals. They’re helping people with everything from chequing accounts to credit cards to loan applications, all while managing long lineups and packed calendars.
It’s not that they don’t want to give you more time. It’s simply the reality of the job. They’re serving thousands of clients, working within tight schedules, and handling transactions that churn quickly throughout the day. It means they can’t always be available when something in your mortgage file suddenly shifts or when you need reassurance at 8 p.m. the night before conditions are due.
And mortgages are time-intensive. They involve moving parts, deadlines, documents, and curveballs. But bankers are also expected to juggle the everyday banking needs of everyone who walks through the door. It’s a lot, and the level of support you receive often reflects the sheer volume they’re expected to handle.
What a Mortgage Broker Brings to the Table
A mortgage broker operates differently. Instead of being tied to one lender’s products, brokers shop among dozens such as major banks, credit unions, monoline lenders, alternative lenders, and private funders.
We build your file, compare options, negotiate rates, and find solutions when life doesn’t fit neatly into a checkbox. And because mortgages are our whole world, we’re able to spend the time, attention, and strategy your situation truly deserves.
If you’ve read our post on refinancing to improve cash flow, you already know how much a strong mortgage strategy can change the bigger financial picture. We work from that mindset from day one.
The Experience: Friend vs. Counter
Here’s where the contrast becomes clear.
Working with a bank can feel efficient but structured. You wait your turn, you move through the process, and you get the service the system allows.
Working with a broker feels more personal. More flexible. More like having a mortgage friend who actually picks up the phone, checks in, and stays with you long after the ink dries. We touched on this in our earlier piece about why working with a broker feels like having a mortgage friend for life, and the difference is real.
Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s the truth most people never hear. The upfront cost to you is the same.
For the vast majority of mortgages, brokers don’t charge a fee. We’re compensated by the lender just as the bank pays its own staff. Unless your situation requires specialized financing, there’s no extra cost for the extra expertise.
So the real question isn’t “Which one is cheaper?”
It’s “Which one gives me more value?”
With a broker, you get access to multiple lenders, more strategic advice, deeper mortgage experience, and guidance that can save you money over the long run, not just at the moment of approval. That’s the difference that matters.
Ready to Talk About Your Options?
If you want clarity and strategy and a team fully dedicated to your mortgage rather than juggling it alongside credit cards and account openings, reach out anytime. We’re always here for real conversations that help you move forward confidently.
Factor Mortgage Team
