Who is generally considered an entity that makes, funds, and services mortgages?

The entity that is generally considered to make, fund, and service mortgages is a mortgage banker. Mortgage bankers are financial institutions or individuals that originate loans, providing the necessary funds for the mortgage and controlling the entire lending process, from application to closing. They often have access to their own capital or lines of credit to fund loans directly and may also keep the servicing rights of those loans, which means they manage the payment collections and customer service aspects over the life of the mortgage.

In contrast, mortgage brokers act as intermediaries between borrowers and lenders but do not directly fund the loans themselves; they help borrowers find the best loan options by matching them with lenders. A loan officer typically works for a lender or bank, assisting borrowers with the application process and underwriting but does not usually fund loans independently. Real estate agents focus on facilitating the buying and selling of properties and do not deal with mortgage lending directly. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why the mortgage banker is the correct answer in this context.