Looking for ideas to get involved in the community for mortgage brokers and professionals? Getting involved in your local community is one of the best ways for to build your reputation, give back to causes you care about, and organically generate new business. Unlike other industries that interact with clients on a regular basis, mortgage services like securing a home loan are more periodic, longer-term interactions. A customer may not need to get pre-approved for a mortgage or refinance for many years down the road. This makes ongoing community involvement and engagement critical so you remain top-of-mind as the trusted local expert over time.

When mortgage professionals devote time volunteering, serving on local boards, sponsoring community initiatives, and building relationships with key leaders in their city, it increases visibility and demonstrates a genuine commitment to the neighborhood. As you immerse yourself more into the fabric of community life, you weave connections and forge bonds that resonate on a deeper level with potential clients. 

They get to know you beyond just being their lender to seeing you actively make a positive local impact over months and years. And when it does come time for them or a referral to need lending services, you organically come to mind because of that established presence and goodwill.

This article will provide 8+ ideas to get involved in the community for mortgage professionals to do good and drive business growth. By rolling up your sleeves locally and making community relationships a key pillar of your overall marketing approach, you can make a meaningful difference both for your neighborhood and bottom line over time.

Partner with local charities and causes

Giving back to charitable causes and nonprofits is extremely rewarding for mortgage professionals looking to make a positive impact in their community. It’s also a great way to network and meet highly engaged residents who may become clients down the road.

Consider joining an existing charity walk/run in your area and help with fundraising. You could also start your own team under your mortgage company name to raise money for a cause important to you. Training for the event and participating on race day alongside team members shows your dedication.

Here are some other ideas to get involved in the community for mortgage industry professionals:

• Volunteer your time and skills at local nonprofits in need. Offer to serve meals at a homeless shelter, sort donations at a food bank, walk dogs at an animal rescue, or clean up a park.
• Serve on a nonprofit’s board of directors to contribute guidance and expertise. You’ll expand your leadership abilities and decision-making skills too.
• Donate a portion of your mortgage commissions to local causes you care about. Support youth enrichment programs, environmental groups, animal welfare, disease research, or whatever resonates most with your values.
• Sponsor charity events by having a booth, donating prizes, or contributing funds to make the event possible. Get creative with fundraising event ideas as well.
• Share your financial knowledge by teaching financial literacy classes at local schools and nonprofits. Host workshops at your office on topics like credit scores, debt reduction, budgeting, and more.

When you roll up your sleeves and get involved with charities over time, you demonstrate compassion while building fruitful relationships. It’s a win-win for doing good and effectively positioning your mortgage services in the community.

Support community initiatives

Supporting various community initiatives is another excellent way for mortgage professionals to get involved locally. By sponsoring events and participating in community projects, you can build relationships with engaged residents while also giving back.

Consider sponsoring local sports teams and events that families are passionate about. Provide funding for uniforms/equipment and cheer on the student-athletes at games. You can also volunteer to give career talks at schools, sharing your mortgage expertise, and inspiring students.

Here are some other ideas to get involved in the community for mortgage industry professionals:

• Have a booth at community events like local fairs, festivals, farmers markets, and other events that draw crowds. Engage attendees by raffling off gift cards or prizes like free consultations. Give away promotional items like pens and notepads with your logo and contact info.
• Participate in community beautification days hosted by local nonprofits focused on park cleanups or home improvements for elderly/disabled residents.
• Attend school plays, talent shows, and other events that demonstrate support for local schools and families.
• Participate in community service days to assist nonprofits with various projects based on your expertise. Help build websites, create marketing materials, improve financial processes, and more.
• Sponsor academic awards and scholarships for graduating seniors to support youth enrichment.

The more you can do to show your support of community initiatives that resonate with your values, the more visibility and goodwill you will build. Determine your budget for getting involved, get creative, and start making an impact locally!

Collaborate with local businesses

Strategically collaborating with local businesses presents promising opportunities for mortgage professionals to cross-promote services, co-host events, and build mutually beneficial relationships.

Consider partnering with restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and other retailers to co-host mixers, networking events, or educational workshops. You provide the mortgage expertise and opportunity to network, while they supply the food, drinks, and venue. It’s a win-win for connecting with new contacts.

Here are some other ideas to get involved in the community for mortgage industry professionals:

• Offer your professional advice to local small business owners looking to purchase commercial property or secure lending. Be their trusted mortgage advisor throughout the process. In return, you’ve gained a loyal client for their personal lending needs.
• Develop referral partnerships with other service providers you trust to refer clients back and forth. Partner with real estate agents, home inspectors, contractors, lawyers, and others.
• Negotiate promotions like free coffee or discounts for your clients in exchange for cross-promotions and referrals.
• Showcase and raffle off products, gift cards, and services from local businesses at your own networking events.
• Arrange for charitable donations on every closed mortgage deal to give back to community causes.

Getting involved with neighborhood businesses builds your visibility while also helping the local economy thrive. It can lead to creative promotions, valuable referrals, and cross-marketing opportunities over time. Foster win-win local partnerships.

Engage in industry organizations

One of the first steps for mortgage professionals getting more involved locally is to engage with industry organizations. These groups offer valuable networking events, educational meetings, conferences, and volunteer opportunities. Becoming an active member allows you to connect with fellow top lending professionals in your area and stay updated on industry news.

Here are some other ideas to get involved in the community for mortgage industry professionals:

• Attend mortgage broker networking mixers, charity events, and new member orientations. These are all chances to meet potential referral partners and clients.
• Seek out and join relevant regional/national mortgage industry associations and networking groups both online and offline. Most host conventions featuring speakers and sessions to sharpen your expertise.
• Volunteer for mortgage industry association committees related to your interests, such as community outreach, political affairs, communications, or membership development.
• Take on leadership positions on boards and committees to boost your profile as a trusted expert.
• Enroll in continuing mortgage education courses offered by industry groups to showcase your dedication to outstanding service through cutting-edge knowledge.

Getting active with mortgage industry organizations takes some effort upfront, but it can pay huge dividends for establishing yourself as a leader in the community, gaining referrals, and growing your business. It’s one of the most effective ways to get locally involved specifically as a lending professional.

Establish relationships with local leaders

Establishing relationships with key local leaders is another impactful way mortgage professionals can get involved in the community. By regularly engaging with city council members, chamber of commerce leaders, school board officials, and other influencers, you can position yourself as an expert resource.

Here are some other ideas to get involved in the community for mortgage industry professionals:

• Introduce yourself to city council members and attend meetings when relevant proposals are being discussed, like zoning changes, housing developments, or other property matters. Provide your insights during public comments on how certain decisions could impact mortgage lending and the local housing market.
• Build relationships with chamber of commerce leaders and sponsor organization initiatives that support economic growth. Offer your perspective on attracting new residents and share market data.
• Connect with school board officials to share your expertise on financial literacy education opportunities for students. Propose volunteering to teach classes or workshops.
• Follow up with city leaders after meetings to discuss issues further one-on-one when appropriate. Position yourself as someone they can turn to for insights on housing policies and mortgage lending trends.
• Share highlights of your involvement with local leaders on social media and company newsletters to boost your public profile as an expert.

The time invested in staying updated on local issues and sharing your insights with key leaders can pay off exponentially through increased influence and recognition. Make engaging with local decision-makers a regular part of your community involvement.

Next steps

As you weave yourself into the fabric of community life, remember that every connection and partnership forged pays dividends for mortgage professionals looking to establish themselves as local experts. Whether you volunteer time to causes, collaborate with key leaders, or support various initiatives, your involvement demonstrates genuine care for your city beyond just lending. And residents notice and appreciate mortgage bankers who are actively making a positive impact over the long run.

Pick one or two ideas from this article to apply this year for making a bigger impact where you live and work. The compounding effects of ongoing community engagement by mortgage experts can not only uplift a city but also establish your brand as a trusted household name for generational lending needs.

Additional ideas to get involved in the community for mortgage

Check out these other resources for ideas to get involved in the community for mortgage professionals: 

• Own your community: Tips for staying top of mind with Michelle Denogean, CMO at Side Inc.
• Changing the game with innovative marketing with Shashank Shekhar, CEO of InstaMortgage
• Social media video: Why authenticity wins with James Duncan, Director of Marketing at Thrive Mortgage

Evocalize provides easy-to-use digital marketing software to help mortgage brokers effectively promote their expertise and community commitment online. Through customized ad templates and sophisticated targeting, mortgage professionals can drive more neighborhood leads and referrals by spotlighting their local involvement across social media and other digital channels.