A mortgage net branch is an arrangement in which an existing mortgage company gives a franchise to another mortgage company in order to carry out its business in a particular area. The company that gives the franchise is called the mortgage originator, while the company that takes the franchise is called the mortgage net branch. This arrangement is done by some companies who wish to expand their business into newer areas. Mortgage net branches may be small companies in their own right, or they may be mortgage brokers.

There are certain prerequisites to become a mortgage net branch. The mortgage professionals wishing to become a net branch must be licensed. Licensing requirements vary from state to state and are controlled by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) code. Most mortgage originators want their net branches to have at least three years of prior experience in the field of originating, processing, undertaking and risk analysis of all types of mortgages.

Some huge mortgage companies conduct written examinations for candidates wishing to become their net branches. Apart from these, other factors like having premises, goodwill in the market and superior communication skills are also desired. There is some kind of payment to be done to the originator by the net branch. The process is totally formal and documented, as the prospective net branch has to fill application forms.

Net branching is a viable option for small amateur mortgage companies to get nationwide exposure. This is possible, as the originators are big companies that are already functional on a countrywide basis. On the other hand, the originator is able to expand its business by enlisting the services of a net branching franchisee. Hence, mortgage net branching is a mutually benefiting symbiotic relation between the originator and the net branch.

But mortgage net branching has its downsides, too. Parties opting to become net branches are more often than not obliged to give up their original identities and take up new ones as desired by the originators. This makes the net branch lose its individuality. Also, the net branch does not have total liberty to undertake its tasks, as it has to work under orders issued by the originator. Hence, brokers and companies with several years of experience behind them do not accept the idea of becoming net branches that easily. Net branching is considered by new entrants in the field wishing to cash in on the goodwill of the originating company.

The business of mortgage net branching is expanding rapidly day by day. Clients are only too happy to deal with branches of esteemed companies in their vicinities. In fact, it is mortgage net branching that has made the buying of mortgages such an immensely popular phenomenon.