Loan Consultant
Washington Mutual Home Loans

“I was a real estate agent in Los Angeles, but I really wanted to go into the mortgage banking industry. I started taking online classes in North Lake’s Mortgage Banking program — it was one of the few associate degree programs I could find in the whole country. Then I moved to Texas and was able to take courses in person at North Lake.

“As a real estate agent, you talk to mortgage brokers and develop a rapport with them. My preferred lender of choice was Washington Mutual, so I looked them up and found that they had a good opening package for loan consultants, where you could begin with a training course.

“The online courses were invaluable because when you work and go to school, it’s hard, if not impossible, to go to school every day, or even a few times a week. The flexibility of those online courses was key to my being able to finish the Mortgage Banking program through North Lake.

“The quality of instruction was excellent, and the instructors took time to discuss things beyond the scope of learning. For instance, when I landed in the mortgage industry, Keith Baker took the time to just sit down with me and discuss my future career.

“I talk to people daily about the mortgage loan they’ll be taking out to purchase a home. It’s often the biggest investment people make in a lifetime. Even though the process has become somewhat standardized, there’s still a human factor in it. When you help someone purchase their first home, it’s an educational process, and you can help them find ways through the process to be able to complete the transaction. You’re helping people to secure the most important loan of their lives.

“North Lake’s Mortgage Banking program gives you a solid foundation for your career. It can definitely put you on the path to becoming a successful broker.”

A former real estate agent in Los Angeles, Steve Christian enrolled in North Lake College’s online Mortgage Banking courses while still living in California. He has completed most of his associate degree in Mortgage Banking at North Lake and also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from California State University in Fullerton. About his given first name, Winter, he says, “Growing up in L.A. with a name like Winter, you have to get a nickname or get a black belt in judo. I chose to be called Steve.”