Mortgage companies are non-bank businesses built around one product: the home loan. In Staten Island, they sit alongside banks and credit unions as a common place to start a purchase or refinance. This page explains how a mortgage company differs from a bank, the channels it can sell through, and what happens to your loan after you sign, so you know what you are signing up for in New York.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about mortgage companies in Staten Island. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
How Richmond County borrowers financed homes
Of the 4,464 home loans originated in Richmond County in 2024, 91% were conventional and 9% were government-backed (FHA, VA or USDA). Refinances and cash-out refinances together were 19% of the county's loans. The median household income in Staten Island is about $98,300.
Mortgage company or bank: what is different
The core difference is the funding model. Banks can lend out deposits. Non-bank mortgage companies borrow short-term to close loans, then sell those loans to investors to free up money for the next borrower.
For you, this often means a company focused tightly on getting home loans to closing, with processors and underwriters who specialize in mortgages. It can also mean your loan moves to a new owner after closing. Neither model is better by default. Ask how the company funds loans and whether it plans to keep or sell yours.
Start your application in a few minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and follows up with your options.
- Takes a few minutes
- Reviewed by a licensed loan officer
- No obligation to proceed
Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 912-6746. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
Retail and wholesale channels
Mortgage companies reach borrowers through different channels. In the retail channel, the company works with you directly through its own loan officers, and its own staff process, underwrite and close the loan.
In the wholesale channel, the company does not meet you at all. An independent mortgage broker takes your application and submits it to the wholesale company, which underwrites and funds the loan. Some companies run both channels. Knowing which one you are in tells you who your day-to-day contact is and who makes the final credit decision. Ask early so there are no surprises later.
Who this tends to fit
- You need a government-backed or conventional loan and want both options under one roof
- Your current servicer changed and you want to understand why
- You want a short list of questions to ask a company before applying
- You are unsure whether you are dealing with a retail or wholesale operation
- You were referred to a company and want to confirm its licensing
Local offices and New York rules to know
- Deed and mortgage recording: Richmond County Clerk (Staten Island records property documents here, not at the NYC City Register). Your mortgage is recorded here after closing.
Mortgage lenders, brokers and loan originators serving New York are licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services. You can confirm any company's or loan officer's license on NMLS Consumer Access before you apply.
Who you pay after closing in Staten Island
The company that collects your monthly payment is the servicer, and it is often not the company that made the loan. Servicing rights are bought and sold regularly. If yours change hands, federal rules require notice from the old servicer and the new one, usually around the time of the transfer.
During a transfer, a short grace period protects you if you send a payment to the old servicer by mistake. Watch for both notices, confirm the new payment address independently, and check that your escrow account for taxes and insurance carried over correctly.
Before you call
- Your most recent mortgage statement if you are refinancing
- Homeowners insurance details and your current property tax bill
- A question about whether you are in its retail or wholesale channel
- Recent statements for accounts you will use for closing costs
- The company's legal name and NMLS ID for a license check
Questions Staten Island borrowers ask about mortgage companies
What should I ask a mortgage company before applying?
Ask for the company's NMLS ID and the loan officer's NMLS ID. Ask which loan programs it offers, whether it underwrites in-house, and whether it plans to keep servicing or sell it. Ask who your main contact will be and how often you will get updates. Clear, direct answers suggest a company that communicates well.
Why did my loan get transferred to another company?
Servicing rights, which include collecting payments and managing escrow, are often bought and sold. A transfer does not change the terms of your loan, such as the balance or interest terms. You should receive written notice from both the old and new servicer. Federal rules also protect you from late fees for a short period if a payment goes to the old servicer.
How can I tell if a transfer notice is legitimate?
Scammers sometimes send fake transfer letters. Compare the notice with information from your current servicer, using the phone number on an existing statement rather than one in the letter. A real transfer usually comes with notices from both companies. Do not send a payment to a new address until you confirm the change through a trusted source.
Is a mortgage company regulated like a bank?
Mortgage companies follow the same federal consumer protection rules as banks for disclosures, fair lending and servicing. Instead of a bank charter, they are licensed by state regulators, typically a state banking or financial services department. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has authority over non-bank mortgage companies. You can view licensing details on NMLS Consumer Access.
Get answers about mortgage companies for a home in or around Staten Island. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Staten Island
LendersBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerJumboReverse mortgageConstructionRenovation
Mortgage Companies near Staten Island
- Mortgage Companies in Carteret, NJ (4 mi)
- Mortgage Companies in Linden, NJ (5 mi)
- Mortgage Companies in Bayonne, NJ (6 mi)
- Mortgage Companies in Elizabeth, NJ (6 mi)
- Mortgage Companies in Avenel, NJ (6 mi)
- Mortgage Companies in Rahway, NJ (7 mi)
- Mortgage Companies in Roselle, NJ (8 mi)
- Mortgage Companies in Perth Amboy, NJ (8 mi)
Related guides
- How to Choose a Mortgage Lender
- The Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, Explained
- Documents Needed for a Mortgage
Mortgage Companies across New York · Mortgage Companies guide · New York overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Richmond County