There are three types of mortgage companies: bankers, brokers and financial institutions. Bankers are lenders that originate and fund loans in their own name and then sell them to secondary market investors. Some will service the loan and some won't. (The lender will sell the servicing rights which means you make your monthly mortgage payment to that lender). Mortgage brokers are middlemen between you and a larger mortgage banker or financial institution. They do not underwrite or use their own funds to close loans. Financial institutions originate and fund their own loans. They usually collect payments for the life of the loan.