Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 40% of mortgage and nonmortgage loan brokers businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 16.9%.

40%
5-Year Survival Rate
-7.5%
Net Growth Rate
12,705
Total Firms
2,168
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers a Good Business to Start?

With a 40% five-year survival rate, mortgage and nonmortgage loan brokers has a below-average survival rate compared to the national average of ~50%. This indicates higher risk of failure — new entrants face significant competitive pressure or challenging economics.

The annual exit rate of 16.9% is elevated. If you're considering entering this industry, ensure adequate capitalization, a clear competitive advantage, and realistic timeline to profitability.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)7.9%
Exit Rate (closures)16.9%

Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-8.9 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

14.2%
Job Creation Rate
21.7%
Job Destruction Rate
-7.5%
Net Job Growth

The industry is losing jobs faster than creating them — which may indicate automation, consolidation, or declining demand. Total employment: 295,465 workers across 12,705 firms.

Want to know how much mortgage and nonmortgage loan brokers businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of mortgage and nonmortgage loan brokers businesses fail?
Approximately 60% of mortgage and nonmortgage loan brokers businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 16.9%, with 2,168 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the mortgage and nonmortgage loan brokers industry growing or shrinking?
The mortgage and nonmortgage loan brokers industry is currently shrinking with a net job creation rate of -7.5% per year. New businesses are entering at 7.9% while 16.9% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.