Ever went to a dinner party and heard this conversation?

She said: “My friend who just bought her first house told me her lender never returned her calls. Then, when she finally got to the closing, she had to pay way more than she had planned.”

He said: “Wow, they must not have told her about all the fees on the good-faith estimate.”

She said: “I felt so bad.”

If you had a similar problem when buying your home and told your best friend what happened to you, your story is likely to be retold at a dinner party as well. Want to get your issue heard by someone who can make a difference? Contact the State of Connecticut Department of Banking (DOB) at 800-831-7225.

Part of the Department of Banking mission is to protect users of financial services from unlawful or improper practices by requiring that regulated entities and individuals adhere to the law. As a potential home buyer you can avail yourself of many services that the Department of Banking can provide.

The DOB can:

• * Tell you if a lender or broker is licensed and is in good standing, or if there have been any complaints filed against him or her.
• Provide free educational materials and information on financial education programs that will aid you in the home buying process.
• Provide help with problems during and after the mortgage process.
• Help you find a bank, credit union, or lender.
• Assist you in filing a complaint against a lender or bank. 
• Give guidance if you are in the unfortunate position of being delinquent on your mortgage.

Call the Department of Banking before you go forward with the mortgage process. It will help you avoid being the next “home buyer” dinner party gossip.

For more information contact:
Connecticut Department of Banking
Government Relations and Consumer Affairs
260 Constitution Plaza
Hartford, CT 06103
860-240-8299 or 800-831-7225
www.ct.gov/dob.