Alan Schrum, a mortgage industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, has dedicated his career to helping people achieve their dreams of homeownership. For much of his professional life, Alan ran his own businesses. He’s owned and sold three mortgage companies over the years. In 2023, he felt ready for a change. While life as a small business owner offered many rewards, Alan found himself bogged down by tasks he didn’t enjoy, rather than thriving in the work he loved most.
“I’ve owned or been the president of a mortgage company for almost my whole career. I wanted a different dynamic,” shares Alan. “A long-time contact and Sunflower Bank employee introduced me to the leadership at Sunflower Bank. After talking with Rob, Neil, Laura, and Josh, I knew the move was a two-sided opportunity.”
At the time, Sunflower Bank wanted to strengthen its mortgage presence in the Colorado market. With extensive experience and local knowledge, Alan emerged as a top candidate. In return, he could leave behind endless meetings and tasks and get back to the hands-on, sales-focused role he enjoyed.
Trading Entrepreneurship for Regional Leadership
As Alan transitioned from business ownership to a regional leadership role, he quickly began to appreciate the many advantages of working for a bank. Unlike running an independent mortgage business, working at Sunflower Bank allowed him to focus on what he does best. For Alan, this meant growing teams, helping clients, and building relationships.
When Alan ran his own companies, he personally had to sign for substantial warehouse lines of credit to fund loans before they could be sold on the secondary market. Working at Sunflower Bank, that funding comes from the institution itself, which frees him to focus on what he most enjoys instead, without the operational and financial pressure of independent ownership.
The reduction in personal financial risk is only one of the many things Alan appreciates about working for Sunflower Bank. He also emphasizes the quality of the people he works with, the technology platform and diverse programs the Bank offers.
From leadership to the support staff, Alan finds the Sunflower Bank team to be knowledgeable, helpful, caring, and willing to listen. “The leadership team at most banks do not understand the mortgage business,” says Alan. “Sunflower Bank’s leadership understands the mortgage business well, which is a definite advantage. The mortgage group I work with is filled with really good people.”
Working with Sunflower Bank, Alan and his team gain access to a suite of exclusive mortgage lending products designed to help them win more business and better serve their clients. In addition to standard loan products, the Bank has programs designed for first-time homebuyers, high-net worth clients, and borrowers with specialized needs, empowering the team in Colorado to assist a variety of clients.
Building a High-Performance Mortgage Team
At the top of Alan’s to-do list was creating an all-star team of mortgage professionals to serve the marketplace. Drawing on his 30 years of industry contacts, Alan brought together a trusted origination team known for their expertise and strong reputation.
“Within two years, I took a market where Sunflower Bank wasn’t well known and helped turn the Bank into a major market competitor, growing the volume and the team to 17 loan originators,” says Alan.
“Within two years, I took a market where Sunflower Bank wasn’t well known and helped turn the Bank into a major market competitor, growing the volume and the team to 17 loan originators."
Today, his team is experienced, collaborative, and motivated. More than that they have fun. They thrive on camaraderie, healthy competition, and shared commitment to each other's success. Supported with strong leadership and solid foundation across the Bank, Alan’s team delivers exceptional results. From origination to underwriting to closing, the Sunflower Bank team collaborates in helping clients achieve their homeownership goals.
For mortgage professionals looking to succeed in the industry, Alan offers straightforward advice:
- Find a company with strong leadership, a strong platform and the desire to be a leader in the industry.
- Look for products that give you an edge over the competition and a company that understands the market dynamics.
- Work hard and stay dedicated to reaching your goals
- Provide the best service possible
Focusing on What He Loves
“I’m passionate about getting my clients into the home they aspire to live their lives in,” shared Alan. “There’s a great pleasure in helping people to understand the whole picture and getting them through the process with ease and camaraderie.”
By joining Sunflower Bank, Alan returned to the work he loves most: building teams, helping individuals realize their homeownership dreams, and using his entrepreneurial spirit to expand the Bank’s regional presence.
For Alan, that’s what his personal success looks like. That’s the win. Surrounding yourself with the people you enjoy, building production together, and sharing growth as a team. He’s found that at Sunflower Bank.