For Scott Burks, a career in financial services was never just about transactions—it was about outcomes. Long before reverse mortgages became his sole focus, Burks had already spent decades navigating nearly every corner of finance, from mutual funds and annuities to banking, mortgages, and even entrepreneurship. Today, as a Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional (CRMP) working inside a credit union environment, Burks has found what he describes as the most rewarding chapter of his professional life.
A Foundation Built on Finance
Burks’ path into the industry began early. Raised primarily in Southern California, with stints across the West and Southeast, he grew up hearing stories about markets and money from his grandfather, who once posted the boards on the San Francisco Exchange. That early exposure planted a seed.
After graduating college, Burks went straight into financial services, becoming an independent financial advisor and earning his Series 6 and 63 licenses. He worked with mutual funds and family clients before realizing that broader reach required institutional backing. That realization led him into banking in the mid-1990s, where he climbed the ranks to branch manager and expanded his credentials to include the Series 7 and 24 licenses.
Along the way, Burks gained hands-on experience with virtually every traditional banking product—forward mortgages, HELOCs, auto loans, credit cards. But at that stage, mortgages were just one part of a much larger financial toolkit.
Discovering Reverse Mortgages as a Planning Tool
Burks’ first true introduction to reverse mortgages came in 2012 at Land Home Financial, where industry veteran Colleen Moore, CRMP, helped guide him through his early transactions. What struck him immediately was not just the product itself, but how naturally it fit into holistic financial planning.
“I learned what a valuable tool it is in financial planning,” Burks recalls. “Using home equity as part of retirement planning was new to me—and pretty exciting—because I could see how it could fundamentally change people’s portfolios.”
That realization set him on a new trajectory. Mentored by Scott Harmes, CRMP, the reverse mortgage manager at C2 Financial, Burks deepened his expertise, completed multiple transactions, and ultimately earned his CRMP designation. Over time, he made a decisive move: leaving forward mortgages behind to focus exclusively on reverse.
A Different Kind of Sales Environment
In June 2025, Burks took another significant step by joining Arizona Financial Credit Union—an experience he describes as fundamentally different from both the broker and retail lending worlds.
Unlike traditional sales environments, the credit union model emphasizes education over production and service over volume. With 20-plus branches, billions in assets, and a deeply community-oriented mission, the institution offered Burks something rare in sales: clear expectations paired with a sustainable production model.
“The pressure to perform is still there—you have to produce to earn,” he explains. “But I’m no longer chasing referral partners or self-sourcing business. My role is to educate, train, and build awareness. The transactions come as a result of that work, not in spite of it.”
As the credit union’s sole reverse mortgage specialist, Burks focuses on training branch staff, hosting “reverse mortgage days” in local branches, leading internal huddles, and partnering with financial services teams on retirement planning webinars. Weekly meetings with the marketing department—uncommon for producing loan officers—have enabled him to scale awareness both internally and within the broader community.
Most importantly, the credit union’s member-first culture aligns seamlessly with his own values, allowing production to be the outcome of trust and education rather than constant pursuit.
Overcoming Stigma Through Education
Despite the supportive environment, Burks acknowledges that skepticism around reverse mortgages still exists—especially within financial institutions. The initial objections from within the credit union, he says, are familiar.
“Why are we doing this? Is this just about the money? What are you doing to our members?” he explains. “It’s the same stigma we hear from consumers.”
The key to breaking through, he believes, is education—both for staff and leadership. Reverse mortgages, when used appropriately, can be genuinely life changing. He points to real-world scenarios where borrowers avoid foreclosure, eliminate debt, or remain in homes they otherwise would have been forced to leave.
“Don’t argue against it until you at least understand how it works,” Burks says. “You can’t ignore the impact when someone puts their home into protective mode for the rest of their life.”
Redefining Career Accomplishment
When asked about his greatest professional accomplishment, Burks doesn’t point to licenses, awards, or production milestones. Instead, he focuses on something far more personal.
“The biggest reward I’ve ever gotten from my career is improving somebody’s life,” he says.
That philosophy has followed him across industries—from financial advising to selling Malibu boats in North Carolina. No matter the product, Burks believes there’s no such thing as a bad offering—only bad motivations.
“If you offer a product for the right reason,” he says, “there’s joy in it, whether there’s commission or not.”
Advice for Newcomers to Reverse Mortgages
For those considering entry into the reverse mortgage space, Burks offers a candid warning: this is not a transactional business.
“You can’t shortcut this,” he says. “You have to educate yourself, learn the vocabulary, understand the nuances, and find a mentor.”
Reverse mortgages demand patience, confidence, and mastery—qualities that can’t be rushed. Burks encourages new originators to observe experienced professionals, sit in on presentations, and commit to learning before chasing volume.
“This isn’t a ‘what’s your rate and how fast can you close’ conversation,” he explains. “You can’t do it alone.”
Why Reverse Mortgages Matter
What Burks loves most about the industry is the human element. The long consultations. The six-month follow-up calls. The moments when borrowers realize their stress has lifted.
“Ninety-nine percent of the time, those follow-up calls with my clients bring tears,” he says. “Foreclosure stopped. No more monthly mortgage payments. Time with grandkids. That’s real.”
Unlike other areas of finance, Burks values the transparency and permanence of the product. Everything is documented, counseled, and clearly defined—leaving little room for regret.
“There’s a story behind every reverse mortgage,” he says. “And there’s no cookie-cutter solution.”
Life Off the Grid
Outside of work, Burks lives as intentionally as he works. Residing off-grid in Arizona, he relies on solar power, delivered water, and propane, sharing his land with free-range cattle and an array of wildlife—from foxes and deer to bobcats and mountain lions.
When he’s not navigating dirt roads or maintaining his property, he’s hiking with his dogs and embracing the solitude of the desert. It’s a lifestyle that mirrors his professional approach: self-sufficient, grounded, and purpose driven.
A Career with Meaning
After more than 30 years in sales and finance, Scott Burks has landed exactly where he belongs—at the intersection of education, service, and impact. In an industry often misunderstood, he has found clarity, fulfillment, and a mission that goes far beyond numbers.
At the end of the day, for Burks, success isn’t measured in units closed—but in lives improved.
