About The Commercial Loan Broker Institute
Virtual Training – Launch Your Brokerage Today!
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We Are Brokers First, Trainers Second.
Our Systems Are Practical, Tested & Proven.
Our training program is based on years of experience and field testing. We know our systems work because we personally use them every day to close deals in our own brokerage.
Our primary employment is NOT TRAINING YOU. Our day job is running our own brokerage, serving our own clients, and closing our own deals. Every day that they aren’t training, your instructors are out in the field generating leads and working on loans.
We employ our own brokers, business development officers, and loan analysts. Day in and day out, we live, breathe, and ACTUALLY DO exactly what we train our students to do. This means that our systems are being continuously tested, tweaked, and tested again in the real world.
Intensive Training
The Institute’s training is born from years of field testing. The comprehensive program covers the most effective, proven tactics for quickly growing a brokerage.
Ongoing Mentorship
Expert implementation takes more than education. Our seasoned brokers work with you daily to ensure you’re taking the right steps, at the right time, in the right way.
Full Toolbox
Our toolbox makes sure you have all of the tools you need to rapidly grow your business, including forms, legal agreements, marketing pieces, and software.
Marketing Engine
Our marketing experts builds your brand for you. From web design to social media to email marketing, they attract new customers while you close open deals.
You don't need to start your loan broker business alone!
Our comprehensive broker launch program includes training, marketing, an instant lender network, and ongoing coaching and support.
The Institute’s History
As a Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo, Darrick Brown saw a disturbing trend. The vast majority of business customers applying for credit were being turned down. They were then left to secure the much needed financing on their own, but they had no idea where to start.
Seeing the need for a conduit between traditional lenders, declined customers, and alternative sources for financing, Darrick decided to leave his job of 27 years and the staff of over 300 employees that he managed. He ventured out on his own to serve this niche. Since then he has closed more than $500MM in deals for 250+ clients ranging from start-ups, to Fortune 1000 and Government entities.
Throughout his career, Darrick has regularly provided one on one and group training to new and seasoned loan brokers. As more and more requests for training started pouring in, the Commercial Loan Broker Institute was born. Now, Darrick dedicates his time, expertise and winning approach to helping business loan brokers throughout the country become more successful and close more deals through his proven Training + Mentoring = Money system.
Loan Broker Industry Orientation
What is the OPPORTUNITY for a broker in your local market?
What are the BIG RISKS? And how do you AVOID them?
Meet Our Founders
Shane Robert Walton
Co-Founder
With over 15 years of experience building bridges between businesses and capital, Shane Robert Walton has developed innovative strategies and systems that have helped create successful brokerages around the world. As co-founder of the Commercial Loan Broker Institute, one of the nation’s largest loan broker training programs, he has guided the launch of more than 400 brokerages. These firms have collectively sourced over $2 billion in business financing for companies across America, demonstrating the practical impact of his training methodologies.
Shane’s entrepreneurial journey encompasses founding multiple companies, including Green Vine Marketing, a full-service marketing agency, and Alternative Funding Partners, a loan brokerage. His academic achievements led to his appointment as a Fulbright Scholar for the U.S. State Department, an experience that broadened his global perspective on business and finance and led to him lecturing at universities throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
His work is guided by a straightforward philosophy: every deal structured and every broker trained contributes to a positive economic impact that extends through communities nationwide. To succeed, commercial finance brokers must provide capital to businesses and investors. In turn, these growing businesses create jobs. When jobs are created, families are supported. Much of the payroll then flows back to local businesses, strengthening entire communities. This is why Shane loves what he does: Capital sourcing creates a rippling effect that improves the lives of brokers, business owners, employees and communities.
Darrick Brown
Co-Founder
During his tenure as Senior Vice President at Wells Fargo Bank, where he managed over 300 staff members, Darrick Brown observed a troubling pattern: 80% of the bank’s commercial loan applicants were being denied. Witnessing firsthand the challenges these rejections created for local business owners inspired him to take a different path. He launched his own brokerage with a clear purpose to provide innovative funding solutions for businesses that traditional lending institutions couldn’t or wouldn’t serve.
His firm has since successfully closed more than $500 million in deals, working with a diverse client base that ranges from startups to Fortune 1000 companies and government entities. Building on this success, Darrick founded ABF Consulting Group, a Denver-based boutique consulting firm that delivers specialized programs to both the public and private sectors. The firm focuses on strengthening small to medium business enterprises, particularly contractors, by providing the training, financial guidance, and direct loan placement they need to successfully bid, win, and complete government construction projects.
As co-founder of the Commercial Loan Broker Institute, Darrick has transformed his extensive field experience into comprehensive training programs. These programs provide aspiring brokers with proven systems, hands-on coaching, personalized mentoring, and the complete business infrastructure needed to build successful practices.
Darrick’s approach centers on a clear mission: empowering commercial loan brokers with the tools and knowledge to secure funding for businesses that traditional banks turn away. By doing so, he creates meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow their ventures, helps communities thrive economically, and enables individuals to build sustainable wealth for themselves and their families. His combination of banking expertise and entrepreneurial vision continues to shape how commercial lending serves the broader business community.
Your Blueprint to Brokerage Success
Get our step-by-step checklist. It’s packed with 100+ actionable steps, simplifying the brokerage launch process and guiding you from start to finish.