ARBOR Financial Group · NMLS #236669
Start Your Company
Build your mortgage business without building the infrastructure yourself. Licensing, compliance, technology, and operations, the foundation behind your business, so you keep building your brand, not ours.
Confidential. No obligation.

Built for Every Path
Whether you’re flying solo, building a team, or ready to run your own mortgage company, ARBOR gives you company licensing, compliance, access to 150+ lenders, and support to grow at every stage.
Opening a mortgage company means becoming a licensed entity, not just a licensed individual.
Every mortgage company registers through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) and must hold a company license in each state where it operates, on top of the individual Mortgage Loan Officer license each originator carries. The steps are consistent from state to state, even though the dollar amounts change.
Each additional state means another application, another bond, and another set of fees.
Beyond licensing, an independent mortgage company also carries its own warehouse line or lender agreements, errors and omissions insurance, a loan origination system, and an ongoing compliance and quality-control function.
For a loan officer operating in several states, this becomes a full set of applications, bonds, and compliance obligations to build and maintain before the first loan closes.
Two Paths, One Platform
The platform is identical either way. The only question: our name alongside yours, or yours alone?
ARBOR Financial Group lets you run a mortgage company under your own brand without building the licensing, compliance, and capital infrastructure from scratch.
ARBOR administers company and branch licensing in every state where the company operates, so you don’t have to file separate applications, bonds, and renewals in each one.
ARBOR also covers warehouse line expenses, bonding, and errors and omissions insurance, the three costs that most often stop a producing loan officer from opening a company.
You keep the parts that define ownership: your brand name, your P&L, your team, your recruiting decisions, and your compensation plan.
And the best part, you keep control of your company, team, and decisions, and get your time back to grow your business.
All-In-One Support
ARBOR absorbs the highest-impact expenses so your money can go toward growth.
What ARBOR Covers:
When you’re not funding infrastructure, you can fund expansion.
Get onboarded quickly so you can hit the ground running.
ARBOR handles your license transfer while IT sets up your email, system logins, and pricing engine access.
Connect with our marketing team to design your custom materials, including email templates, social posts, and partner announcements, so the world knows.
Finish onboarding training, get your licenses approved, and start converting!
Our team is with you from day one and whenever you need us. Together, we’ll keep honing your business for success.
Join the growing network of DBAs who are scaling faster, operating leaner, and maintaining complete control of their business.
Confidential. No obligation.
Real stories. Real results.
Here’s what happens when you stop settling and start building with ARBOR.
Dennis TulpaBroadway Mortgage
Brianna HarrisBroadway Mortgage
Jeff ScottVideo testimonial
Kristy GannonVideo testimonial
Josh LemosVideo testimonial
Execution, price, product-line, and ownership simply the best!
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Came to ARBOR June 2019, everything that was promised was, and continues to be, delivered. I thought I was going to give up execution for a better price with leaving the IMB World, but that never happened. Execution, price, product-line, and ownership simply the best!
Tom SantosNMLS #332212“Thanks, but unless you’ve got a unicorn, a time machine, and ARBOR’s tech... I’m good!”
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Recruiters call me every so often, and my answer never changes: “Thanks, but unless you’ve got a unicorn, a time machine, and ARBOR’s tech... I’m good!” 😄
Here’s just a taste of why I’m staying put:
The Vibe Is Everything: Even with 400+ loan officers, it still feels like a tight-knit crew. Everyone genuinely wants to help each other win, and there are no egos, not even from our top producers. You’ll never feel like you’re out there on your own.
Tech That Actually Helps: Our owner basically lives and breathes innovation. The CRM, AI, and HUB make it feel like your business is running on autopilot. (But the good kind of autopilot, not the scary robot-takes-over kind.)
Pricing Power = Superpower: Whether it’s Lender Paid, Borrower Paid, Broker, or Non-Del, you’ve got the flexibility to stay competitive and in control of your comp. Translation: you should never lose a deal on pricing.
Long story short: I joined ARBOR in 2019, and I haven’t looked back. Pretty sure this is where I’m staying for the rest of my mortgage adventure. 🏡💚
Momi PointerNMLS #272816Many mortgage companies claim they are "built for loan officers, by loan officers," but ARBOR is the first one that I have found where this is genuinely true.
Jeff ScottNMLS #246448As I once told Ryan O’Kane, I feel like I have been let out of a cage, and I can finally spread my wings.
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I initially moved to ARBOR Financial Group from Cross Country Mortgage because I was so tired of being so far out of the game when it came to price. I moved over in June of 2022 and at that time, CCM was 1 to 1.25% higher in RATE, NOT FEE. I have always prided myself at truly caring about my clients and I could not feel good in my heart offering my clients rates that were high just so the managers, VP's and the owners could line their pockets. My good friend Dat Nguyen convinced me to move over to ARBOR, and I have been so happy since I made the move. As I once told Ryan O'Kane, I feel like I have been let out of a cage, and I can finally spread my wings. I am happier than I have ever been in my 23-year career. ARBOR has incredible pricing, top notch tech, unbelievable support staff and a feeling of family that is just so rare to find any more in any workspace. I am grateful every day for the opportunity that I have to work for such a top tier mortgage broker. Thank you, Ryan, Dave, and John for bringing me on board.
Cole DavidNMLS #225466For me, it’s the best of both worlds: independence paired with the tools and support I need to thrive.
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I chose to join ARBOR because I was looking for a platform that combined competitive pricing with strong support and modern tools, and ARBOR has delivered on all fronts. From the start, technology like EiOS, along with the marketing resources and lead generation support, has made it easier for me to grow and manage my business efficiently.
The pricing and compensation structure is not only competitive, but also transparent, which gives me confidence in how I run my pipeline. Beyond that, the support and culture here stand out. There’s always someone willing to help, and the leadership team truly wants to see you succeed.
Another major advantage has been the DBA opportunities, which give me flexibility to build my own brand while still leveraging ARBOR’s resources and backing. For me, it’s the best of both worlds: independence paired with the tools and support I need to thrive.
Dave MaranoNMLS #111960Plus, the pricing is unbeatable, which aligns perfectly with my goal to provide clients with the best possible solutions.
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I decided to join ARBOR Financial Group because of their commitment to cutting-edge technology and competitive pricing in the mortgage industry. Their innovative approach makes the entire process more efficient, and I was really impressed by how they empower their team with the tools to succeed. Plus, the pricing is unbeatable, which aligns perfectly with my goal to provide clients with the best possible solutions. ARBOR’s forward-thinking culture and focus on customer satisfaction made it an easy decision to join this amazing team!
Jared LeeNMLS #485801It was the best decision of my 20-year career.
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After struggling at retail banks with uncompetitive pricing, operational challenges and endless meetings for years, I finally made the jump to become a mortgage broker with ARBOR Financial in Summer of 2018. It was the best decision of my 20-year career. Now I have 100+ lenders my clients can choose from, a best-in-class marketing platform and I am able to focus on what I do best: ORIGINATING LOANS. I would urge any Loan Officer who is tired of the retail red tape to make the switch NOW to ARBOR Financial.
Mike BurdickNMLS #922648I love ARBOR and highly recommend joining ARBOR Nation.
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I can't say enough how awesome it is to be an LO with the ARBOR family. The owners and management are super friendly, down to earth, reachable and always available to help. The culture and vibe are contagious; the quarterly lender events are epic in bringing ARBOR nation together. The marketing, support, software, and freedom to run your own business (DBA) is a huge plus. The ability to choose retail, broker, or non-delegated channel provides a competitive edge with pricing to win the deal. EiOS, the proprietary software, is amazing; it does all the follow up and marketing for you. A real plug and perform system.
The compensation plan is fantastic. The best part is you get a breakdown of your compensation after the loan funds. Very transparent and the wire arrives 1-2 days after. No hunting around for commissions, shortages or issues. It's very clear and simple. ARBOR gives the LO freedom to run their own business with flexibility and room for growth. I love ARBOR and highly recommend joining ARBOR Nation.
Rick ApodacaNMLS #1206543The programs, rates and most importantly, the people at ARBOR are best in class.
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In considering my next move in the mortgage business, I knew I wanted it to be my last. I considered a lateral move to another mortgage bank, but I knew in my gut that wasn’t the right move. The programs, rates and most importantly, the people at ARBOR are best in class. Each day I am here, I become more certain I made the right move.
Mike HendersonNMLS #248445I have been at ARBOR for just over six years and I cannot imagine being anywhere else.
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I have been at ARBOR for just over six years and I cannot imagine being anywhere else. ARBOR lets me compete and win. The owners are constantly making the company better and giving me better tools and technology. There is a culture that is about supporting each other and helping each other win. There is a culture of respect for the loan officer as well as the support staff who are the backbone of my success.
Josh LemosNMLS #278295This is the most pro loan officer company I have ever worked for.
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I love working for ARBOR! As a 25 year mortgage business veteran having worked as a broker and retail lender over the years, I can honestly say without doubt ARBOR is the best company I have worked for. The support, tools, lender options, and resources for everything needed to run a high functioning loan practice are here at ARBOR. Not only that but you are truly independent to run your business as you see fit without corporate red tape that you run into with retail lenders. The leaders of the company are all seasoned mortgage professionals that 'get it'. This is the most pro loan officer company I have ever worked for. Anyone joining will not be disappointed.
Rusty MendozaNMLS #226530These brands run under their own names, backed by ARBOR.
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FAQ
ARBOR Financial Group is a mortgage company that works as both a lender and a broker, with access to 150+ lenders. Along with its own loan officers, ARBOR supports mortgage companies that operate under their own brands as DBAs, handling company licensing, compliance, technology, and operations behind the scenes.
You keep your business; ARBOR provides the infrastructure. You operate under your own brand and retain control over your people, recruiting, margins, compensation, and day-to-day business decisions, while ARBOR handles much of the licensing, compliance, technology, marketing support, investor access, and operational infrastructure behind the scenes.
Yes. ARBOR is one of the few companies that actively supports DBA structures. If you already have a brand, or want to create one, ARBOR will help you set it up and stay compliant in the states where you operate.
Yes. You’ll have full autonomy to manage your income and expenses like a true business owner, with the transparency and support you need to succeed.
Yes. Whether you’re working solo or bringing a team, ARBOR supports your structure. You can use your own processor, assistant, or support staff, whichever fits your workflow best.
Yes. ARBOR supports team building, whether you’re adding processors, junior loan officers, or building a full branch or DBA, and helps you scale as you grow.
Yes. You can use your own vanity domain, and ARBOR will help you connect it to your ARBOR loan officer site so your branding stays front and center.
ARBOR launches new DBAs in less than 30 days. Here’s how it works:
After launch, ARBOR’s team stays with you to troubleshoot and fine-tune as your company grows.
Knowing how to open a mortgage company is mostly a licensing and capital question. An independent company needs its own NMLS company license in every state, a surety bond, a minimum net worth, a warehouse line or lender agreements, and a compliance function. Under ARBOR, the founder keeps the brand and P&L while ARBOR handles licensing administration, bonding, and errors and omissions insurance, which removes most of the difficulty.
It depends on the state, since each state sets its own surety bond and net worth requirements. On top of licensing, an independent company pays application and renewal fees, insurance, and, if it funds its own loans, warehouse line costs. A company started under ARBOR doesn’t fund the bond, the errors and omissions insurance, or the warehouse line, because ARBOR covers those costs.
Mortgage loan officer compensation is usually expressed in basis points, where 100 basis points equals 1 percent of the loan amount. At 100 basis points, a $500,000 loan produces $5,000 in gross commission before splits and fees. The loan officer compensation calculator shows what your own volume would pay under an ARBOR Financial Group plan.
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