Mortgage Originator Definition Types Examples Fees Salary

What is Mortgage Originator

The steps involved are usually complex and vary with lenders. Examples of the steps are furnishing loan application forms, documentation processing, and underwriting. Any individual seeking a loan has to go through these complex procedures, often requiring help from professionals, and the loan originator collaborates to complete the steps involved.

Key Takeaways

A mortgage originator refers to an entity that guides and assists the customer in obtaining a mortgage.Originators must have a license prescribed by the authorized governing entity. The common types are mortgage bankers and mortgage brokers.An example is a mortgage broker connecting a mortgage lender and borrower in exchange for a commission.Originators face interest rate risk, default risk, prepayment risk, etc. However, expert analysis of factors like borrower background, cash flow, and requirements can reduce the risk elements.

Mortgage Originator Explained

A mortgage originator entity can be an organization or an individual who aids loanLoanA loan is a vehicle for credit in which a lender will give a sum of money to a borrower or borrowing entity in exchange for future repayment.read more seekers in understanding the various matters and regulations one must consider and follow for taking a mortgage. For example, their role is to serve as a guide in the finance world to provide the borrower with insight into which loan program will suit them better and its disadvantages and advantages.

Generally, they are the primary lenders participating in the primary mortgage market. Also, their services aren’t free of cost; borrowers have to pay a mortgage origination fee for the loan application processing. The charges are generally a percentage of the total mortgage amount, like 0.5% or 1% of the mortgage amount. It adds to the profit a mortgage lender makes on loan.

Mortgage loan originators (M.L.O.s) must be licensed within their states, and an M.L.O. can have multiple licenses belonging to different states. For example, The S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 requires loan originators in the United States to be licensed. All licensed Mortgage Loan Originators must pass a test issued by N.M.L.S. under the SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008. To satisfy the SAFE test criteria of any single state jurisdiction, each loan originator must take and pass the SAFE MLO Test. To obtain a license, an individual must complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education and pass the test with a minimum of 75% under the SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act.

Examples

Morris wants to buy a new home for his family. He has some savings but not the full amount to get a new house. So, decides to purchase a mortgage to finance his new house. Since he lacks financial knowledge and does not know which or how to approach banks, he decided to connect with a mortgage brokerMortgage BrokerA mortgage broker is an intermediary that liaisons between the mortgage borrower and mortgage lender. Such brokers are responsible for gathering information, documentation process concerning income earned, an asset owned, credit report, and employment details to assess the borrower’s ability to secure financing.read more and is ready to pay a commission for all the help and connection establishment that the broker will do.

The mortgage broker worked with Morris in connecting with lenders and found the greatest solution based on his net worthNet WorthThe company’s net worth can be calculated using two methods: the first is to subtract total liabilities from total assets, and the second is to add the company’s share capital (both equity and preference) as well as reserves and surplus.read more, salary, and interest-rate requirements. The mortgage broker collects documentation and then sends it to the chosen bank for processing and underwritingUnderwritingAn underwriter is an individual or an institution who is involved in the act of underwriting the issue of securities of a company for a fee.read more, ensuring that his loan is sanctioned promptly. In closing, the broker receives a commission from Morris.

ABC is a licensed mortgage bankMortgage BankA mortgage bank is a bank with a specialization in lending the money against the mortgage of any specific securities. They structure various loan products at a cheap rate or with better funding arrangements and involves various activities like loan origination, mortgage sale etc.read more engaged in the business of granting mortgage loans to its customers. For the mortgage banks, loans are assets in their books. Hence, the ABC bank is called an originator when they make a loan secured on the mortgaged property of the borrower because they are originating an asset.

Types

The common types are mortgage bankers and mortgage brokers. Let’s look into a brief description of both types.

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Mortgage broker

Mortgage brokers are mediators forming a connection between the mortgage lenders and borrowers.Mortgage brokers are self-employed and do not use their money for processing or lending.They take a specific cut, a percentage of the total loan amount, as a commission from the borrower, lender, or both for all the services rendered.These licensed professionals help borrowers find the right mortgage plan comprising the right amount, tenure, interest rate, payment methods, and easement.

Mortgage banker

Mortgage bankers are state-licensed organizations that offer mortgages to customers.Customers can approach the banker directly to purchase a mortgage. Hence, there will be no intermediary.They use their fund for lending.They perform mortgage securitization.They receive mortgage origination fees and profit by selling the loan product in the secondary mortgage market.

Risks

The mortgage originator faces risk due to various factors. Primarily, the originator should apply the expertise in analyzing the customers’ background and requirements and select the right product for them. Wrong analysis can lead to risks like default riskDefault RiskDefault risk is a form of risk that measures the likelihood of not fulfilling obligations, such as principal or interest repayment, and is determined mathematically based on prior commitments, financial conditions, market conditions, liquidity position, and current obligations, among other factors.read more. Other risks they face are the interest rate riskInterest Rate RiskThe risk of an asset’s value changing due to interest rate volatility is known as interest rate risk. It either makes the security non-competitive or makes it more valuable. read more faced while participating in the selling of Mortgage-Backed SecurityMortgage-Backed SecurityA mortgage-backed security (MBS) is a financial instrument backed by collateral in the form of a bundle of mortgage loans. The investors are benefitted from periodic payment encompassing a specific percentage of interest and principle. However, they also face several risks like default and prepayment risks.read more (MBS) in the secondary market and the prepayment riskPrepayment RiskPrepayment Risks refers to the risk of losing all the interest payments due on a mortgage loan or fixed income security due to early repayment of principal by the Borrower. This Risk is most relevant in Mortgage Borrowing which is normally obtained for longer periods of 15-30 years.read more.

What is Mortgage Originator#

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