What is a Portfolio Lender

A portfolio lender is a bank or other institution that originates mortgage loans and holds a portfolio of loans instead of selling them in the secondary market. A portfolio lender generates fees from originating mortgages and also seeks to make profits from the net interest rate spread (difference) between interest-earning assets and the interest paid on deposits in their mortgage portfolio.

BREAKING DOWN Portfolio Lender

Traditional mortgage lenders avoid the risks of holding mortgages; they profit from origination fees and then sell the mortgages to other financial institutions. There are pros and cons to both methods. Companies that profit from originating mortgage loans experience less risk and a more consistent profit stream, while portfolio lenders have a chance to experience more upside on their portfolio, but also more risk.

Advantages of Portfolio Lender Loans

  • Loan Approvals: Prospective homebuyers may find it easier to get a mortgage loan approved by a portfolio lender than a traditional lender. This is because portfolio lenders do not have to meet underwriting guidelines specified by secondary market buyers, such as Fannie Mae or other agencies. For example, a traditional lender may get restricted to originating loans that meet minimum income requirements set by the secondary buyer. Since a portfolio lender keeps loans on their balance sheet instead of selling them, they have more flexibility in setting their approval criteria.
  • Greater Flexibility: Portfolio lenders are often small, privately owned community banks that have more flexibility than larger financial institutions. For instance, when a portfolio lender is originating a mortgage, they could change several terms of the loan to fit the customer’s financial circumstances. They might allow the customer to make two monthly repayments instead of one monthly payment, or require a smaller down payment.
  • Investor Friendly: Mortgages offered by portfolio lenders are typically more favorable to property investors. Usually, they do not restrict the number of properties an investor can purchase. They also don’t require a property to be in a particular condition to offer finance. This is advantageous for investors who want to buy an old home to renovate. A traditional lender, on the other hand, may not finance more than five investment properties or may only approve mortgages on homes that are structurally sound.

Limitations of Portfolio Lender Loans

  • Prepayment fees: Portfolio lenders may charge borrowers a prepayment fee. Although federal law limits the amounts lenders can charge, this can be an unexpected expense that increases the overall cost of the loan. Before a customer originates a loan with a portfolio lender, they should negotiate prepayment fees that allow them to refinance easily.
  • Higher Interest Rates: A portfolio lender may charge higher interest rates to offset the additional risk they take for servicing the loan. If the Federal Reserve is increasing interest rates, a portfolio lender may increase their variable rates at a faster rate to maintain their profit margins. (For further reading, see: It's All Related: Interest, Mortgages, the Economy.)