North Carolina Mortgage Broker BondBroker $75K-$250K | Lender $150K-$500K

North Carolina uses a 12-month period ending December 31 to measure origination volume. Your bond tier is determined by the aggregate amount of mortgage loans originated in North Carolina during this period. Three tiers apply: under $10M, $10M-$50M, and $50M+. If your volume pushes you into a higher tier, you must file the increased bond with the Commissioner on or before May 31 of the following year. This gives you approximately five months to arrange the higher bond.

North Carolina sets different bond amounts for brokers versus lenders/servicers at each volume tier. Brokers: $75K (under $10M), $125K ($10-50M), $250K ($50M+). Lenders/Servicers: $150K (under $10M), $250K ($10-50M), $500K ($50M+). At every tier, the lender bond is double the broker bond. This reflects the greater financial responsibility of direct lending and servicing operations versus brokering.

For the $75,000 minimum broker bond with excellent credit (750+), expect $750-$2,250/year. The $150,000 lender minimum costs $1,500-$4,500. At the highest tier, a $500,000 lender bond runs $5,000-$15,000 with good credit. Fair credit applicants (650-699) pay 5-10% of the bond amount. The wide range of NC bond amounts means your annual cost depends heavily on both your license type and volume tier.

Under G.S. 53-244.103, if your origination volume during the 12-month period ending December 31 pushes you into a higher bond tier, you must file the increased surety bond with the Commissioner on or before May 31 immediately following that December 31 period. For example, if your 2025 calendar year volume exceeds $10M for the first time, you must increase your bond and file it by May 31, 2026. Missing this deadline is a compliance violation.

Yes. If you hold both a mortgage broker license and a mortgage lender license in North Carolina, each requires its own surety bond at its respective tier amount. The broker bond and lender bond have entirely different tier structures. A company holding both licenses at the lowest tier would need a $75,000 broker bond plus a $150,000 lender bond, totaling $225,000 in bond coverage.

Yes. Under G.S. 53-244.103, mortgage lenders and mortgage servicers follow the same bond tier structure: $150,000 (under $10M), $250,000 ($10-50M), $500,000 ($50M+). The statute groups lenders and servicers together for bond purposes, though they may have different licensing requirements in other respects. If you both lend and service, one bond may cover both activities under the same license.

Yes, though NC's relatively high bond amounts make credit quality important. A $75,000 broker bond at 10% costs $7,500/year, while a $150,000 lender bond at 10% costs $15,000. We work with carriers specializing in higher-risk applicants. Strong financial statements and industry experience help offset credit concerns. Collateral-backed programs are available for the most challenging situations.

Upload your bond electronically through your NMLS account for the NC Commissioner of Banks (NCCOB) to review. North Carolina accepts electronic filing through NMLS. When filing an increased bond due to volume growth, ensure it is submitted by the May 31 deadline. We provide bonds in the correct NMLS format and can assist with timing around the annual measurement period.