Obtaining day-to-day administrative support also can help. Most mortgage brokers are best when they are prospecting for new originations, and they could find themselves bogged down by all the other tasks required for success.

Many companies provide support in compliance, legal, processing-information technology, human resources and marketing. Although they don't absolve brokers of the professional responsibility of knowing the rules in these areas, they can at least make the process easier on a daily basis and could help prevent problems.

Finally, it can be wise to find someone who can answer your questions when you're not sure about the ethical way to approach something. Ideally, this person is a trustworthy, experienced manager or a compliance expert from your company. In many cases, one quality conversation can make all the difference in a decision.

Today, it's time to forget about playing close to the edge, cutting deals and competing on price. Now is the time for lending the way it was meant to be in the first place. Quality control is essential. As a broker, you're competing not only with other originators but also with traditional banking institutions.

Take steps to educate yourself and to use the proper resources to be clients' best source of dedicated, professional service. Doing so will put you on the road to proper ethics and success.

Jean Badciong is vice president of operations for Inlanta Mortgage, a mortgage banker since 1993. Reach her at jeanbadciong@inlanta.com or (877) 326-5626.

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