I started working at my families Mortgage Bank when I was very young, and grew up George Bailey style listening to dinner table talks about how important we were to the community and responsibility that came with that.

We helped people realize a dream, helped families grow and build wealth, I remember how excited couples would come into the office with their last mortage payment and cry and kiss with enjoyment. They would invite us to the mortgage burning party over at the hall.

I also remember my first FHA mandated eviction during the holidays, I will never forget the sound of the youngest sons voice as he chased the Christmas tree out the front door and his Drugged out loser father just sat there. I literally cried for six days, the eviction crew had to drive me home. I left out the part this took place accross the street from the home I was born in and on December 20. There is not a Christmas that goes by that I do not wonder where that little boy is or if he is alive or if he is happy.

People in the Mortgage Business were educated, honest, and well capitalized. We had to do the right thing it was OUR money, well at least at first. My father would have done something really bad to me if we ever had A foreclosure, It makes him so sad now to what happened to the industry he was a pioneer in, 30 years ago. He actually helped.

I was a loan officer in the first refi boom, rate went from 13% to 11% to 9% to 6.25% over a three year period. I personally wrote over thousands of loans in three years 90% refi's and very, very few where cash out refi's. Equity was cheerished and only used for Major Home Improvements or College Educations for their children.

We have all scene what happened when greed and no accountability happened...

Those additions and educations have been sold down the river for big screen TV's and McMansions on interest only ARMS. The world of mortgage financed changed when people could get into the business cheap and looked at mortgages as product, not service.

It makes me sad.