ATLANTA — A mortgage broker who has worked with several Savannah-area companies has surrendered his license and agreed to pay fines and other fees after operating an unapproved branch location and other violations, the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance announced late Tuesday.
The department offered few details in its case against Bryant O’Neal Easterling. Other than operating an unapproved branch, he was charged with “failing to demonstrate financial responsibility, character and general fitness such as to command the confidence of the community and to warrant a determination by the department that he would operate honestly, fairly, and efficiently,” according to a statement issued by the agency.
Easterling was most recently licensed with American Financial Network of Alpharetta as a federal mortgage-loan originator as of Sept. 3.
He has apparently worked for several other companies. An announcement in a 2004 edition of the Morning-News said he had been promoted to director of sales and marketing for First National Bank after nine years of experience and a bachelor of business degree from Savannah State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Webster University.
A LinkedIn.com page for him lists him as the senior vice president and area manager for Ikon Financial Group after four years as a vice president for mortgage lending with Queensborough National Bank & Trust specializing in historic properties.
His settlement with the Department of Banking prohibits him from reapplying for a mortgage license for five years. He agreed to pay a $500 fine and to make a $500 contribution to the State Regulatory Registry that operates the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System.
