Six-Tier Volume Schedule
$50K / $75K / $100K / $150K / $200K based on OR loan volume from four prior quarterly reports. The most granular tier schedule of any state in the series. New licensees start at $50K.
OR Division of Financial RegulationORS 86ASame-Day Issuance
Oregon Mortgage Lender Surety Bond
Secure your Oregon mortgage banker, broker, or loan originator license with a surety bond from Surety One, Inc. — the nationwide leader in mortgage industry surety bonds. Bonds from $50,000 to $200,000 based on OR loan volume. Premiums individually determined by credit and financial review.
OR Mortgage Lender Bond
$50K – $200K
Six tiers by OR volume • 5-year tail • Premium based on credit
New Licensee / Under $10M$50,000
$50M – $100M$150,000
Over $100M$200,000
PremiumBased on Credit
ObligeeOR DCBS / DFR
TurnaroundSame Day
Get Your Free Quote
Understanding Your Bond
What Is an Oregon Mortgage Lender Surety Bond?
An Oregon mortgage lender surety bond is a three-party agreement required by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), Division of Financial Regulation (DFR), as a condition of licensure under ORS 86A.095 through 86A.198. The bond requirements are set by ORS 86A.106 and ORS 86A.227, with detailed tier schedules in OAR 441-860-0085 and OAR 441-860-0090.
Oregon uses a six-tier volume-based schedule ranging from $50,000 to $200,000, calculated from the dollar amount of Oregon residential mortgage loans closed and funded as reported in the previous four quarterly activity reports. New licensees start at the $50,000 minimum.
Oregon is distinguished by the longest post-termination tail in the nation — the bond must remain in effect for at least five years after the licensee ceases to be licensed. Additionally, the bond runs to the State of Oregon and must use the official DFR form 440-2775.
The Three Parties
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PrincipalThe mortgage banker, broker, or loan originator who purchases the bond and must comply with ORS 86A.095 through 86A.198.
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ObligeeThe State of Oregon, through the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Division of Financial Regulation.
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SuretySurety One, Inc. — the company that underwrites and issues the bond, guaranteeing the principal's compliance with Oregon mortgage lending law.
Company Bond or Individual MLO Bonds
Oregon gives companies a choice: provide one company bond at the scaled amount to cover all loan originators, or have each individual MLO provide their own bond based on personal OR loan volume. Companies employing MLOs must use a surety bond — an irrevocable letter of credit is not accepted when MLOs are employed.
Bond Amount Schedule
Oregon Mortgage Bond — Six-Tier Volume Schedule
Bond amounts are calculated from the sum of OR residential mortgage loans closed and funded as reported in the previous four quarterly activity reports (per OAR 441-865-0025). The DFR sends courtesy emails in early September for required increases.
| OR Residential Mortgage Loan Volume (Prior 4 Quarters) | Bond Amount |
|---|---|
| New licensee (no prior OR business) | $50,000 |
| Under $10,000,000 | $50,000 |
| $10,000,000 – $24,999,999 | $75,000 |
| $25,000,000 – $49,999,999 | $100,000 |
| $50,000,000 – $99,999,999 | $150,000 |
| $100,000,000 or more | $200,000 |
Key Dates: December 1 Delivery & October 1 No-Reduction
The bond must be delivered to the Director through the NMLS by December 1 of each calendar year (may be effective December 31). Bonds may not be reduced before October 1 of each calendar year — a unique restriction preventing mid-year decreases. The DFR sends courtesy increase notifications in early September. Apply now or call (800) 373-2804.
Oregon Licensing Requirements
Key Bond & Licensing Requirements
Oregon's six-tier bond schedule and five-year post-termination tail make it one of the most detailed mortgage bonding systems in the nation.
DCBS / Division of Financial Regulation
The obligee is the State of Oregon through the DCBS Director, DFR. Phone: (888) 877-4894. Bond must use official Oregon form 440-2775.
ORS 86A & OAR 441-860
Bond mandate: ORS 86A.106 and 86A.227. Tier schedules: OAR 441-860-0085 (employing MLOs) and OAR 441-860-0090 (not employing MLOs). Quarterly reports: OAR 441-865-0025.
Company or Individual MLO Bonds
Companies may provide one bond covering all MLOs, or each MLO may obtain individual bonds. Companies employing MLOs must use a surety bond — irrevocable letters of credit only for non-MLO employers.
NMLS Electronic Filing
All bonds are filed electronically through the NMLS. Bond must be delivered by December 1 of each year. The qualifying individual must have 3 years of mortgage experience in the past 5 years.
5-Year Post-License Tail
The bond must remain in effect for at least five years after the licensee ceases to be licensed — the longest tail in any state. After 5 years, the Director may release the bond if no claims are pending.
Consumer Protection
What Does This Bond Protect Against?
The Oregon mortgage lender surety bond runs to the State of Oregon and protects consumers against violations of the Oregon Mortgage Lender Law. The bond covers:
ORS 86A Violations
Any violation of ORS 86A.095 through 86A.198 by the licensee, its employees, or its mortgage loan originators — the full scope of the Oregon Mortgage Lender Law.
Fraud & Prohibited Conduct
Violations of ORS 86A.183 (prohibited conduct for mortgage bankers, brokers, and MLOs), including fraud, misrepresentation, and deceptive practices.
Consumer Claims
Consumers must file claims against the bond before it expires (within the 5-year post-license tail period). The bond provides a direct recovery mechanism for injured consumers.
Director Enforcement
The Director may investigate violations under ORS 86A.127, issue cease and desist orders, and impose civil penalties under ORS 183.745. Knowing violations constitute a Class C felony with fines up to $5,000 per violation.
How It Works
Get Your Oregon Mortgage Lender Bond in 4 Steps
Surety One makes obtaining your Oregon mortgage lender surety bond fast and straightforward. Most bonds are issued the same business day.
Apply Online
Complete our mortgage lender bond application online or call us at (800) 373-2804. There's no cost and no obligation.
Get Your Quote
Our underwriters review your application and provide a competitive premium quote, typically within hours. We work with all credit profiles.
Purchase & Sign
Accept your quote, complete the indemnity agreement, and pay your premium. We prepare the bond on official Oregon form 440-2775.
Filed via NMLS
Surety One files your bond through the NMLS. Deliver by December 1 for renewal, or immediately for new applications. Your bond is active for your Oregon license.
Understanding Your Premium
How Is My Premium Determined?
Your premium — the actual amount you pay — is a percentage of your required bond amount. You do not pay the full bond amount. Your rate is individually determined through underwriting review.
| Underwriting Factor | How It Affects Your Premium |
|---|---|
| Required Bond Amount | Your OR loan volume determines the tier ($50K–$200K). Higher amounts result in higher premiums. |
| Personal Credit Score | Your FICO score is a primary factor. Stronger credit profiles generally qualify for lower premium rates. |
| Financial Statements | Bond amounts over $50,000 typically require personal and business financial statements for underwriting. |
| Industry Experience | OR requires qualifying individuals with 3 years of experience in the past 5 years. Your history may influence terms. |
| Claims History | Any prior surety bond claims or regulatory actions may influence the terms offered. |
Every Applicant Receives a Personalized Quote
Because premiums are individually determined, the only way to know your exact cost is to apply. Surety One provides free, no-obligation quotes — and we decline no application. We offer non-standard programs for applicants with impaired or limited credit. Apply now or call (800) 373-2804 for your personalized quote.
Common Questions
Oregon Mortgage Lender Bond FAQ
Oregon mortgage lender bonds range from $50,000 to $200,000 across six volume tiers. New licensees start at $50,000. Your premium is a percentage of the required amount, individually determined by credit, financials, and underwriting review. Apply for a free, no-obligation quote from Surety One.
The Oregon DCBS, Division of Financial Regulation, requires the bond under ORS 86A.106 and ORS 86A.227. Bond amounts and tier schedules are in OAR 441-860-0085 (for companies employing MLOs) and OAR 441-860-0090 (for those not employing MLOs). The bond must use official Oregon form 440-2775.
Oregon requires the bond to remain in effect for at least five years after the licensee ceases to be licensed — the longest post-termination tail of any state. After five years, the licensee or surety may apply to the Director for release, provided no claims are pending under ORS 86A.095 through 86A.198.
Only if your company does not employ mortgage loan originators. Companies that employ MLOs must use a surety bond — an irrevocable letter of credit is not accepted. Companies that don't employ MLOs may use a letter of credit matching the scaled bond requirements.
Yes. Oregon gives companies a choice: the company may provide one bond at the scaled amount to cover all its loan originators, or each individual MLO may provide their own bond based on their individual OR loan volume. The company bond is typically more cost-effective for firms with multiple originators.
Yes. Surety One declines no application. We offer non-standard surety bond programs for applicants with impaired credit, limited credit history, or other underwriting challenges. Premium rates for non-standard credit will be higher, but we work to find terms that fit each applicant's situation.
The bond must be delivered to the Director through the NMLS by December 1 of each calendar year (may be made effective December 31). Bonds may not be reduced before October 1 of each year. The DFR sends courtesy notifications in early September for companies whose required bond amount is increasing.
Yes. If your company both originates and services loans, you need separate mortgage lender and mortgage servicer licenses, each with its own surety bond. Surety One issues both bond types and can coordinate your complete Oregon bonding package.
The Surety One Advantage
Why Choose Surety One, Inc.?
Surety One is a national surety leader specializing in the bonding needs of mortgage professionals across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
OR Six-Tier Specialists
Oregon's six-tier volume schedule and five-year tail require an experienced surety partner. Our underwriters know the DFR's unique calculation methodology and December 1 delivery deadline inside and out.
Same-Day Issuance
Most Oregon mortgage lender bonds are issued the same business day. Our 24/7/365 underwriting team provides guaranteed same-day feedback on every submission.
A+ BBB Rated
Surety One carries an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau in both our U.S. and Puerto Rico offices, reflecting our commitment to client satisfaction and ethical practices.
All Credit Accepted
We decline no application. Our non-standard programs provide access to bonding for applicants with damaged or limited credit histories. Everyone gets a fair review.
Multi-State Expertise
Operating in multiple states? We streamline your bonding across all 50 states with a single point of contact, ensuring compliance with each state's unique requirements.
Free Quotes, No Obligation
Application review and quoting are always free. There is no obligation to purchase. Contact us by phone, email, or live chat to explore your options.
