yes, you guys are right. if you just ask the rate. you dont need anything. if you wanna a good deal, you have to submit everything, usually they have 0.5% or even 1% discount for you depending on your income and credit etc. but if you are not serious,only ask the rate. they wont tell you the discount. personally thinking broker is good because you can compare all the rates at the same time and don't worry to deduct your credit point too much. in my own opinion, the only case the bank is better that you principal bank loan the money to you. They may give you better discount that the broker can't, otherwise the broker and banker have the same discount.