How to Become a Mortgage Broker in Georgia

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What Types of Broker Licenses Are Issued in Georgia?

The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, Non-Depository Financial Institution (NDFI) Division regulates and licenses mortgage brokers and lenders�companies and branches as well as individuals.

  • The Georgia Mortgage Broker/Processor License permits the solicitation, processing, placement, and negotiation of residential mortgage loans.
  • The Georgia Mortgage Lender License permits the origination, making, servicing, and purchase of residential mortgage loans.

What Does the Licensing Process Involve?

License applications are submitted through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS), but all other licensing requirements must first be met. If you submit your application without all the required documents, the Department will request that you provide the missing documents, and you�ll only have five days from the original submission date to do that before your application is administratively withdrawn.

Be aware that any license approved between January 1 and October 31 must be renewed during the annual license renewal/registration period, which runs from November 1 to December 31.

Applicants must submit proof of having purchased a mortgage broker surety bond in the proper amount for their application to be considered complete. Those amounts are:

  • $150,000 for a mortgage broker/processor license
  • $250,000 for a mortgage lender license

Why Is a Surety Bond Required?

It�s common for states to require people becoming licensed in certain professions to purchase a surety bond as a guarantee that the licensee will conduct business in accordance with all applicable state laws and industry standards. Those requirements are spelled out in the terms of the surety bond contract.

Every surety bond contract is a legally binding agreement between three parties:

  • The entity requiring the contract, in this case, NDFI, is the obligee
  • The mortgage broker purchasing the contract is the principal
  • The company issuing the bond is the surety

License bonds, such as a mortgage broker bond or mortgage lender bond provide financial protection for those who could suffer a loss if the licensee, the principal, acts in an unlawful or unethical manner. Any violation of the terms of the surety bond by the principal can result in a claim being filed against the bond.

What Happens if a Claim is Filed?

The surety will first investigate to make sure that the claim against the bond is valid. If the surety is unable to settle a valid claim, the company will pay it as an advance on behalf of the principal to avoid legal action.

However, the principal is legally responsible for paying claims and must reimburse the surety. The advance payment of a claim is in effect a loan from the surety to the principal, to give the principal time to gather the funds and then reimburse the surety.

What Does a Mortgage Broker/Processor Bond Cost?

The annual premium for a mortgage broker bond (or mortgage lender bond) is a small percentage of the required bond amount. The surety company sets the premium rate for each applicant based on his or her personal credit score and financials. The rate is generally between 1% and 3% for applicants with good credit, and higher for applicants with poor credit.

Get Bonded Today

Request a quote today, and let us get you the surety bond you�ll need to obtain your Georgia mortgage broker/processor license.

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