Originator Overrides

Definition of Originator Overrides

In the context of commercial mortgages, Originator Overrides refer to a compensation structure where a secondary commission or fee is paid to a senior broker, manager, or the mortgage brokerage firm itself, based on the production of an individual loan officer (the originator). While the originator earns a commission for sourcing and processing the deal, the "override" is an additional payout carved from the total fee or added as a management premium for overseeing the transaction or providing the platform through which the loan was secured.

Detailed Description of Originator Overrides

The commercial mortgage industry often operates on a multi-tiered commission hierarchy. Understanding how originator overrides function requires a look at the operational structure of commercial lending firms and mortgage banks:

• Revenue Sharing: When a commercial mortgage is closed, the lender typically pays an origination fee (often 1% to 2% of the total loan amount). The brokerage firm splits this fee with the individual originator. The portion that the firm or a managing director retains from the originator's production is the override.
• Management Incentives: Overrides serve as a primary incentive for senior brokers or branch managers to recruit, train, and mentor junior originators. By taking a small percentage (an override) of every deal the junior originator closes, the manager is compensated for their time and the use of their professional network.
• Institutional Overrides: In larger institutional settings, an override may be paid by a lender to a correspondent or master servicer. This is common when a firm has a specialized relationship with a life insurance company or a CMBS (Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities) lender, where the firm receives a "tail" or an override on all volume funneled to that specific capital source.

The specific terms of an Originator Override are usually governed by an independent contractor agreement or an employment contract. These agreements detail the split (the percentage the originator keeps) versus the override (the percentage the house or manager keeps).

• Experience Level: Senior originators with their own book of business usually pay a lower override to the firm, whereas junior originators or "analysts" may pay a significantly higher override in exchange for leads and training.
• Firm Resources: If a brokerage provides extensive marketing, proprietary databases, and back-office underwriting support, the originator override is typically higher to cover these operational overhead costs.
• Deal Complexity: In highly complex commercial transactions—such as multi-layered capital stacks involving mezzanine debt and equity—the override may be adjusted to account for the involvement of senior partners who helped structure the technical aspects of the deal.

In summary, Originator Overrides are a fundamental part of the commercial mortgage ecosystem. They ensure that the infrastructure of the brokerage is funded and that senior leadership is incentivized to increase the firm's total loan volume by supporting the efforts of individual producers.