I would look for reviews on Zillow, Google Maps, Yelp, Experiance.com.To look up their license history you can use nmlsconsumeraccess.com, licensed and registered Loan Officers have to report a 10 year employment history.

Getting a rental license as an out-of-state investor is doable, but you’ll need to manage inspections and compliance.

Quote from @Franklin Perez: You don't need a license to invest, and it may actually hurt you.

Looking to obtain a real estate salesperson license in CT.

My personal preference for a buy and hold would be an already established area (or an area that's still gentrifying, but has already seen significant progress). 

I am on the board of CFRI, our local REIA and I know we have dozens of agents and investors that have their license if only to list and buy their own properties, but could recommend some to you. 

Yes BofA is all over the country but if you go to your local branch it's pretty likely that loan officer and/or office wouldn't be licensed to operate in another state. 

In-person interactions are great for building trust with potential investors.Real Estate Platforms:BiggerPockets: A robust platform for connecting with private lenders and investors.Fund That Flip, PeerStreet, Groundfloor: Online platforms connecting investors with real estate projects.Social Media Groups: Facebook and LinkedIn groups dedicated to real estate investing often have private investors or lenders looking to connect.Personal Network: Often overlooked, but friends, family, and colleagues may know individuals interested in investing.Private Money Brokers: If you're working on wholesaling deals, you may find brokers who have established relationships with private money lenders.Real Estate Agents: Some agents have connections with private investors, especially those focused on investment properties.For your 50% LTV, it's good to approach investors who may be interested in lower-risk, high-equity deals.

The president of the company has his brokerage license.

BiggerPockets is an excellent platform for networking and establishing connections.