Empathy isn’t a soft skill in mortgage lending. For Shimmy Braun and Tom Fishwick, it’s the operating principle behind more than five decades of combined experience at CrossCountry Mortgage, where each holds the title of senior vice president of mortgage lending. Both were drawn to the industry by the belief that guiding clients through the largest purchase of their lives calls for the same care they’d want for themselves.
That philosophy shapes everything. Neither Braun nor Fishwick hands clients off to an assistant or junior loan officer at first contact. Instead, every borrower speaks directly with one of them from the start, and their availability extends well beyond business hours. Before any loan moves forward, clients go through what the duo calls “Mortgage 101,” which includes a walkthrough of the full process, complete with a written summary, ensuring clients have a reference point as things progress.
Braun and Fishwick work across the full range of traditional loan products, including conventional, FHA, VA and jumbo financing. They also offer creative solutions, including DSCR loans for investors, asset-based lending, non-traditional income programs and non-warrantable condominium approvals. Their in-house exception process offers them flexibility with complex scenarios that other lenders can rarely accommodate. Most of their business comes through referrals from Realtors, attorneys, financial planners, accountants and former clients.
Outside of real estate, Braun recently celebrated his son’s wedding and saw his play, “Faygele,” produced professionally in London. Fishwick competes in the Chicago Triathlon and cheers his children on at soccer matches and gymnastics meets.
For every closed loan, Braun and Fishwick donate to Feeding America in honor of each borrower and agent. Additionally, they support Chicago Roundup, an organization serving sober LGBTQ+ individuals.
