Honestly, I once had a deal where the first officer acted like asking for a loan was the same as requesting state secrets. Every email was a new “urgent” doc request. Switched to another officer and suddenly it was like, “Oh, we just need your tax returns and a business plan.” Night and day. I always tell folks: if you feel like you’re running in circles, don’t be shy about switching lanes. And yeah, that checklist thing? Total lifesaver—though sometimes I swear they make it up as they go...
I get where you’re coming from about switching officers making a huge difference, but I’m not sure it’s always that simple. Sometimes it feels like the “night and day” experience is more about the institution’s internal process than the individual officer. I’ve had situations where even after switching, the requests just kept coming—different person, same endless paperwork. Maybe it’s just luck of the draw, or maybe some banks are just more rigid.
That checklist thing you mentioned—
—I’ve definitely felt that way too. But after digging into it a bit, I realized a lot of those “random” requests are actually triggered by compliance checks or underwriting flags. It’s not always clear from our side, but there’s usually some logic behind it (even if it feels like overkill). Still, I wish they’d be more upfront about what could pop up later, instead of springing new requirements every other day.“though sometimes I swear they make it up as they go...”
One thing that helped me was asking for a full list of possible documents right at the start, even if they said they only needed a few things. Sometimes they’ll admit there’s a “phase two” with more asks. It doesn’t eliminate surprises, but at least you’re not totally blindsided.
I guess my point is, switching officers can help if you’re dealing with someone who’s just not responsive or organized, but sometimes the hoops are built into the system. If you’re running into wall after wall, it might be worth looking at different lenders altogether—not just different people within the same bank. Some places really do have smoother processes, especially if they specialize in commercial loans.
Anyway, just my two cents. The process is never as straightforward as those checklists make it look...
Couldn’t agree more about the system itself being the real obstacle sometimes. I’ve seen clients get bounced from officer to officer—doesn’t matter, the requests just keep piling up. There was one deal last year where, after the third “phase” of document asks, the client actually laughed and asked if there was a secret checklist they weren’t allowed to see. Honestly, it felt that way.
In my experience, the only real workaround is to get as much transparency up front as possible, though even then it’s a bit of a gamble. Some lenders are just more rigid, and their internal compliance teams seem determined to find something new to request no matter what you provide. I’ve noticed credit unions and some of the smaller regional banks tend to be more upfront about their process, but even they can get caught up in red tape.
Switching officers sometimes helps if you’re dealing with someone who’s just not on top of things, but if it’s the institution’s policy, you’re stuck. It’s frustrating, but I’ve learned to manage expectations early and prepare clients for at least a few curveballs along the way. The checklist is just the beginning...
Some lenders are just more rigid, and their internal compliance teams seem determined to find something new to request no matter what you provide. I’ve noticed credit unions and some of the small...
Honestly, that “secret checklist” comment hit home. I’ve had deals where, just when I thought we’d finally cleared all the hurdles, someone from compliance would pop up with a new “standard” doc no one mentioned before. The smaller banks are sometimes easier, but I’ve still had them freeze up mid-process if something spooks their underwriter. I’ve started keeping a running folder of every random doc I’ve ever been asked for—just in case. The best you can do is stay organized and expect a few surprises, even if you’re working with the most transparent lender.
I’ve started keeping a running folder of every random doc I’ve ever been asked for—just in case.
That’s exactly what I do now, too. After one deal where they suddenly wanted “proof of insurance on the collateral” halfway through underwriting (which no one had mentioned before), I started saving literally everything. It’s wild how often you get blindsided by some obscure request. I will say, though, sometimes the smaller lenders are just as picky—they just hide it better at first. Staying organized is the only way to keep your sanity.
