Legal Definitions - origination fee

An origination fee, also known as an origination point, is a fee that a borrower pays to a lender to process a loan application. This fee is paid upfront and is usually a percentage of the loan amount. The lender charges this fee to cover the costs associated with setting up the loan or mortgage.

For example, if you are taking out a mortgage of $200,000 and the lender charges an origination fee of 1%, you will have to pay $2,000 upfront to the lender.

Origination fees are often negotiable, and borrowers can try to negotiate for lower fees. For instance, if you are taking out a larger loan, you may be able to negotiate a lower origination fee. Lenders may be willing to reduce the fee to earn your business.

It is important to note that the government has enacted legislation to limit loan origination fees. For example, the § 206.31 regulation limits the amount that lenders can charge for origination fees.

Overall, an origination fee is a fee that borrowers pay to lenders to process a loan application. It is usually a percentage of the loan amount and can be negotiable.