A Roadmap to Running Your Own Mortgage Branch

Are you a loan officer or mortgage branch manager? Do you feel stuck working at your branch or underwhelmed with your career? Many driven and talented individuals burn themselves out at large mortgage companies, never receiving the compensation or recognition they deserve. This isn’t right! 

Many of these dedicated mortgage professionals have heard about net branch opportunities that would allow them to manage their own branches under the corporate umbrella. Unfortunately, “net branch” is an antiquated term for antiquated practices. Regardless, branch managers still find themselves scrambling to make decent revenue and fighting for autonomy.

MortgageRight isn’t a net branch.

However, we’ve designed a platform that solves the problems many mortgage professionals face. We offer a true P&L model with a foundation of total support and transparency. The result is an environment where a branch manager or loan officer can start a mortgage business without worrying about financial liabilities, compliance risks, and other headaches. 

This may seem too good to be true – so let’s dive into the ins and outs of this interesting system and learn how MortgageRight does things differently.

The Old Net Branch Structure vs the Modern System

If you’re reading this, you probably have at least a basic understanding of how a mortgage net branch works. However, if you’re interested in owning your own branch, it’s important to know the intricacies of the modern system. 

As we know, historically, a net branch is a satellite operation that does business under the umbrella of a larger mortgage company. They’re typically run by a loan originator or broker. Through a licensing agreement, the branch maintains a certain level of independence.   

Because the branch operates under the umbrella of a large mortgage company, they receive support for things like branding, marketing, technology, legal compliance, and training resources. The loans the branch processes are typically underwritten by the mortgage company. 

The History of Net Branching

The net branch mortgage system was around for many years, though it’s been through many changes. In the 1990s, it was like the Wild West. Mortgage companies allowed unlicensed branches to conduct business under their umbrella with minimal regulatory oversight. 

The Dodd-Frank Act of 2010 brought significant changes to the mortgage sector. Along with consumer protection measures and regulatory reforms, it changed mortgage lending standards. 

After the Dodd-Frank Act, net branching models underwent a transformation, including: 

• New licensing requirements
• Risk management standards 
• Consumer protection measures
• Technology to aid in compliance 

The Modern System

Today, the modern mortgage branching system is very well regulated and consumer-focused. Even still many mortgage companies still have trouble creating a successful system. Unfortunately, the branch managers and loan officers are the ones who suffer. 

Many companies make it difficult or impossible for branch owners to obtain a fair commission structure. The money trickles down through layers of management so they end up doing all the legwork and only seeing a small fraction of what they should be earning. 

Another common issue is poor support and communication. Procedures for compliance or underwriting support may be lacking, making the loan origination process difficult and slow. Branch owners may also have a hard time getting in touch with the right person at corporate.  

However, the best modern mortgage companies like MortgageRight operate with an emphasis on high-quality services, transparency, legal compliance, and collaboration. We’ve created a platform that combines support and autonomy so branch owners can operate to the best of their abilities while running their businesses on their own terms. 

Getting Established 

If you’re ready to start a mortgage business and feel like a mortgage branch is the way to go, there are some things you need to know before you get started. Building a solid foundation is key, so it’s important to educate yourself. 

First and foremost, it’s crucial you choose the right partner. You must work with a mortgage company that offers high-quality service and supports your long-term growth. 

There are also higher-level things you’ll need to learn and do as you transition to running your own branch. 

Education

It’s important to have in-depth knowledge of current market trends, regional competition, and state regulations before running your own branch. You’ll need to be licensed, so look into courses that set you up for success. There’s a chance you’ll be required to take pre-licensing training. Continuing education is available for mortgage professionals to enhance their knowledge and skill set so they can take their careers to the next level.  

Licensing 

Each state has different licensing requirements for mortgage professionals. It’s crucial you comply with local regulations. Passing your mortgage loan originator (MLO) licensing exam is mandatory, so be sure to familiarize yourself with state laws and industry best practices. Licenses get filed through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS), a centralized database mortgage regulatory agencies use to maintain licensing programs. There are fees associated with becoming licensed, so be prepared to spend a little – it’s well worth it. 

Background Check 

As part of the licensing process, every mortgage officer is required to undergo a background check through the NMLS. This includes a criminal background check and credit check. The criminal check is done to ensure you don’t have convictions, such as felonies that could restrict you from legally operating as a mortgage officer. The credit check ensures you’re responsible enough to work in a position of financial authority. 

Choosing the Right Partner

Working with the right mortgage branch company is crucial for your long-term financial success. This decision also affects your freedom to run your branch how you want and truly enjoy a P&L model that benefits you and your team. Qualities of a good mortgage company include:

• High-quality support services
• A solid reputation 
• Healthy communication 
• The right geographic reach 
• A fair commission structure 

If you’re not partnered with the right company, you may miss a chance to make the money you’ve worked for and enjoy a fulfilling entrepreneurial experience. At MortgageRight, we understand the challenges loan officers and branch managers face and have designed a branch platform that helps producers succeed. 

Open Your Own Mortgage Branch and Unlock Your Full Potential

Are you a loan officer or branch manager for a large mortgage broker? Are you burned out or tired of limited financial success and toxic company culture? Owning and operating your own branch will uncap the amount of money you can earn and let you finally have the control you can’t get with other companies. 

MortgageRight’s branch model doesn’t include layers of management like other large companies. This means our branch managers can communicate with the support service teams they need right away and speak directly to our owners when needed. 

The MortgageRight platform also allows branch owners to build their own P&L model that’s geared toward long-term growth. We offer our partners the freedom to take full ownership of their business. 

“For me, I had plateaued and peaked where I was – I knew that. And I was just excited to get into it. I don’t want to just say ‘hey it’s to make more money,’ because it’s not really like that. It was more that I wanted to really start a business. I wanted to have something that I created, I wanted to build something that I was responsible for building. That was really it for me. Loan officers usually work for somebody. When you become a branch manager, you’re starting something from scratch. You’re building out something, and that was it for me.” – Mike Russo, Branch Owner

Many great mortgage branch managers and loan officers move around from company to company. This is a sign they’re working for organizations that don’t allow them to realize their full potential and make the money they deserve. 

MortgageRight branch managers stick around. Some have been with us for over a decade. This is a testament to our smart P&L model that gives branch owners control of their own businesses and the support they need to succeed. 

“I always wanted to be my own boss. The entrepreneurial spirit was a big deal. I wanted to be in control of my career and hit the milestones I knew I wanted to hit as far as retiring early or having that option. Being your own boss and being in control is a big deal for me, and I just had really poor managers and bosses and things like that, and I thought I could do it better. That was a big deal.” – Alvaro Moreira, Branch Owner 

The MortgageRight Competitive Advantage 

Owning a branch under MortgageRight is a completely unique experience. It’s our goal to offer the very best choice for home mortgages. To achieve this, we created a model based on communication, competitive pricing, unrivaled customer service, and state-of-the-art technology. 

Our branch manager and loan originator retention is like no other organization in the industry – and this is a direct result of the support we provide, the freedom we encourage, and the rates we offer. 

If you’re ready to start a mortgage business, consider the following ways MortgageRight can offer you a foundation for long-term success and happiness. 

Provide the Lowest Rates

The ability to sell at the lowest rates possible is crucial for success in this industry. There’s a misconception that any broker can get competitively low rates, but that’s not true. However, because MortgageRight is a direct lender, our branch managers can offer better rates than most brokers out there.

Enjoy Higher Earnings

Countless branch managers and loan originators work hard to help people get mortgages but make only a fraction of what they should. They’re paid a set compensation for business they bring in and close. Mortgage professionals should have the freedom to make as much as they set their minds to. 

Running a mortgage branch with MortgageRight allows you to make the revenue you deserve on loans you’ve worked hard to close. Our P&L model makes this possible by allowing you to set margins and compensation plans, which means you can dictate the profitability of your loans. You can use this extra revenue to build and strengthen your team so you can grow your business and work toward your personal goals.  

A Culture of Support 

At MortgageRight, we strive to help our mortgage branch managers grow their businesses and achieve the work/life balance they need to be happy. Our culture is all about support and transparency, something mortgage professionals don’t often experience.

The responsibilities of a P&L model may intimidate some people. We understand this and have reacted by creating a culture of total support so our branch managers can focus on what they love. 

Our support services include: 

• In-house marketing solutions, which include design teams, email platforms, reporting, branded collateral, SEO services, and more
• Onboarding and recruitment 
• IT support 
• Underwriting teams
• Accounting software  
• A dedicated licensing team 
• Compliance support 
• Enterprise CRM
• Closing support 

There’s a strong sense of comradery between our support teams, upper management, and branch managers. This collaborative environment allows our branch managers to operate a true P&L model without the stress they typically cause.

A Focus on Communication 

Without a strong line of communication between a mortgage branch and internal teams, success is impossible. That’s why we make it a point to give branch managers a direct line of communication with the support personnel they need at each step of the loan process. We also ensure managers can easily get in touch with the owners when they need to. 

The Freedom to Run Your Branch How You Want  

One of the most unique aspects of the MortgageRight model is we give our branch managers the control and autonomy to take their business in the direction they see fit. This means making their own decisions concerning:  

• Marketing and advertising 
• Processing strategy 
• Building their branch team  
• Technology 

Our branch managers have the freedom to set their own margins and compensation plans under our P&L model. This means they control how much revenue they make and how far they take their business. 

Most mortgage companies don’t offer these types of branch opportunities. Their managers and loan officers work tirelessly without having a say in the operation and make a set compensation on loans they bring in. 

Take the Next Step With MortgageRight 

If you’re ready to harness your entrepreneurial spirit and start originating loans on your terms, MortgageRight is the place for you. 

We were founded in 2005 by industry leaders who were on a mission to provide a better solution for home mortgages. Our growth is a testament to our dedication to honesty, communication, and high-quality service. 

Ready to learn more about our mortgage branch platform? Schedule a live demo today!