Most mortgage companies aren’t exactly known for innovation. But every so often, you run into someone who’s playing chess while the rest of the industry is still figuring out checkers. That’s Shah Tehrany, CEO of Madison Mortgage Services, and the latest guest to join me on The CEO1440 Show.
Shah’s been in the game for nearly two decades, and for the last five years, he’s been building one of the fastest-growing brokerages in the country—starting in one of the most complicated states to do business in: New York.
Now, Madison Mortgage is making a big shift—rolling out a flat fee model that puts more money in loan officers’ pockets and positions them for long-term success.
Here’s what we talked about—and why Shah’s approach is one worth watching.
From Retail to Running the Show
Like a lot of people in the mortgage space, Shah started in retail. Built his business. Built a team. Did well. But eventually, like so many top producers, he hit that moment where the systems and structure around him weren’t built to scale—at least not the way he wanted.
He wanted more control over the tech. More flexibility with the process. A better culture. And instead of waiting around for someone else to fix it, he built it himself.
That’s how Madison Mortgage was born. Fast forward to today: they’re licensed in 36 states, building fast, and now rolling out a model that could completely shift how top loan officers think about where—and how—they work.
The Flat Fee Model: What It Is and Why It Matters
Madison Mortgage is now offering loan officers a nationwide flat fee structure, a model that gives originators more control over their income and more say in how they run their business.
What it means:
You keep more of what you earn
You get access to Madison’s infrastructure, tech, and support
You’re in the driver’s seat of your career
The model isn’t new—but it’s very new in New York, where regulation has made it tough for brokers to scale the way they do in other states. And it’s a game-changer for high-performing retail LOs who’ve been stuck under old comp plans and bloated systems.
“Margins are tightening. AI is coming. The market’s changing. And we want our loan officers positioned to win in that future—not just survive it.”
Why New York Loan Officers Should Be Paying Attention
For LOs on the East Coast, especially in New York, options have always been limited. Getting licensed there is hard. Many super brokers avoid the state altogether.
But that’s where Madison Mortgage has a real edge. They’re not just licensed—they’re built for scale in New York and beyond.
If you’re a loan officer in the tri-state area and you’ve been sitting in retail feeling stuck, Shah’s team might be the unlock.
You get:
Access to multiple lenders
A real tech stack (not the patched-together version you’re used to)
Training, systems, and support that’s actually designed around originators
And if you’re already generating your own business and building a personal brand? Even better. You’ll finally be able to keep more of what you earn.
