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.