The California Mortgage Lender Bond is a type of surety bond and is required by the State of California, Department of Business Oversight, in order to obtain a CA-DFPI Residential Mortgage Lending Act License. the license and license application is administered by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS).
What are the requirements to be licensed as California Mortgage Lender and or Servicer?
First, the applicant must be an approved lender of one or more of the following before being considered:
- The Federal Housing Administration (FHA),
- Veterans Administration (VA),
- Farmers Home Administration (FmHA),
- Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae),
- Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or
- Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac)
The applicant must then submit the following via the online Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS):
- Audited financial statements demonstrating tangible net worth of at least $250,000
- Apply for a background check for all stockholders, principal officers and directors
- A California Mortgage Lender Bond in the minimum amount of $50,000*
- The following fees: a $900 application fee, a $100 NMLS filing fee, and a $62 investigation fee
*Once the applicant has obtained their Mortgage Lender License, they will be required to maintain a California Mortgage Lender Surety Bond that covers the activities of the MLOs they employ. The bond amount will be based on the amount of origination and/or servicing activities conducted by the licensee in the preceding calendar year, as follows:
| Aggregate Loans | Bond Amount |
| Under $50,000,000 | $50,000 |
| $50,000,001 – $500,000,000 | $100,000 |
| Over $500,000,001 | $200,000 |
More information about these licensing requirements and processes can be found on the CA Department of Business Oversight website.
Where can I get this bond?
At surety1.com, we make it easy to obtain this bond:
- Complete our easy to navigate and secure online application
- Review your free, no obligation quote from one of our surety bond professional agents , usually within one business day.
- If you choose to move forward after receiving your quote, we will have you sign any necessary paperwork and remit the premium payment (all major credit cards accepted).
One these steps have been completed, Surety1 will file the California Mortgage Lender Bond electronically with the NMLS.
Surety1.com is based in California and is a service of AssuredPartners, one of the largest and fastest growing insurance agencies in the nation. Surety1.com is the premier online provider of surety bonds nationwide since 2003.
Click Here to Visit our State by State Guide to Mortgage Industry Bonds
How to Get Your California Mortgage Lender Bond
- Complete an online application. It’s free and no-obligation.
- One of our surety experts will contact you with a firm quote and an agreement to sign.
- Provide payment and your signed agreement, and then you will receive your Surety Bond!
If you have any questions, please call us at 877-654-2327.
Surety1 was founded in 2003 and helps thousands of clients find the best prices on their surety bonds. We take pride in our work so that we can give you great service. Learn more about Surety1.