2. How the Program Works

The Referral Agent Program is built on a straightforward principle: you introduce a client to RPA, RPA handles the loan from application through closing, and when the loan funds, you receive a commission. There are no quotas, no minimums, and no cost to participate.

2.1 The Referral Cycle

2.2 Who Can You Refer?

You can refer any individual, business, or entity seeking commercial real estate financing, including:

• Real estate investors purchasing or refinancing rental properties
• Small business owners looking to purchase or refinance commercial real estate
• Developers seeking construction or bridge financing
• Businesses needing equipment financing or working capital secured by real estate
• Property owners seeking cash-out refinancing

2.3 Loan Types Available

RPA originates a wide range of commercial loan products, including:

• Bridge and hard money loans (fast closings, asset-based)
• Conventional commercial real estate loans
• SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans (for small businesses)
• USDA business loans (for rural areas)
• Construction loans (ground-up and renovation)
• Fix-and-flip financing
• Agency loans (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA)
• CMBS and life company loans (for larger assets)

3. Joining the Program

Joining the RPA Referral Agent Program is free and takes only a few minutes. There are no licensing requirements to become a referral agent, though you must comply with any applicable laws in your state regarding compensation for referrals.

3.1 Registration Steps

3.2 No License Required (With Important Caveats)

Unlike mortgage brokers and loan originators, referral agents are generally not required to hold a real estate or mortgage license to receive referral commissions for commercial loan introductions, provided the referral is limited to the introduction itself and does not involve any activity that constitutes the practice of mortgage brokerage or loan origination.

4. Your Referral Agent Portal

Your Referral Agent Portal is where you manage your referrals, track deal progress, and monitor your commission pipeline. Log in at www.rpacommercialloans.com using your registered email.

4.1 Your Referral Dashboard

Your dashboard provides an at-a-glance view of all loans you have referred. You can see each loan's current stage in the pipeline, your pending commissions, and your total paid commissions to date.

4.2 Your Unique Referral Link

Your personalized referral link is available under "Referral Link" in your portal. Share it via email, text, social media, or embed it on your website. Every application submitted through your link is automatically attributed to your account.

4.3 Referral Status Updates

You will receive automated email notifications when your referred loans reach key milestones: application received, documents collected, submitted to funders, term sheets received, and loan funded. You can also check status at any time through your portal.

4.4 Commission History

Your portal includes a complete commission history showing all earned, pending, and paid commissions. You can download statements for bookkeeping and tax purposes.

5. Making Referrals

5.1 Share Your Referral Link

The simplest method is to send your client your referral link. They click it, complete the Quick Application themselves, and the loan is attributed to you. This is the preferred method when the client is comfortable navigating the form independently.

5.2 Submit a Referral Through the Portal

For a more personal introduction, log in to your portal, click "New Referral," and enter the client's name, email, phone, and a brief note about their financing need. RPA will reach out to the client directly within one business day.

5.3 Tips for Making Great Referrals

• Set expectations. Let your client know that RPA will contact them and that the process starts with a quick online application. The more prepared they are, the smoother the handoff.
• Share this overview with them: RPA is a commercial loan origination company (not a bank) that connects borrowers with lenders. There is no cost to apply, and the origination fee is paid at closing only if the loan funds.
• Follow up. A quick check-in with your client after the referral helps ensure the connection was made and shows you care.
• Do not screen out. Even clients with complex situations or less-than-perfect credit may have viable options. Let RPA's loan officers evaluate the file.

6. Commissions & Compensation

Referral Agent commissions are paid when a loan you referred successfully closes and funds. Your specific commission rate is set out in your signed Referral Agent Agreement.

6.1 How Commissions Are Calculated

Your referral fee is ten basis points (10 bps) of the funded loan amount. This is paid entirely from RPA's origination revenue, it is not an additional cost to your client. Example: on a $1,000,000 funded loan, your referral fee is $1,000.

6.2 Payment Schedule

• Commissions are triggered upon loan closing and receipt of origination fee by RPA.
• Payment is issued within 10 business days of confirmed loan funding.
• Payment is made via ACH transfer to your bank account on file.
• You will receive an email confirmation with a commission statement when payment is processed.

6.3 Tax Reporting

RPA will issue a Form 1099-NEC for any referral commissions totaling $600 or more in a calendar year. This is why the W-9 is required before any payments are made.

6.4 Commission Conditions

• Commissions are earned only when a loan funds. No commission is paid for applications that do not close.
• Your referral must be properly documented in the RPA system before the client submits their application.
• Commissions may be withheld if a referral is found to involve fraud or material misrepresentation.

7. Compliance & Guidelines

While the referral agent role is generally low-risk from a regulatory standpoint for commercial loan referrals, there are important conduct guidelines and legal considerations you must be aware of.

7.1 What You May Do

• Share information about RPA Commercial Loans with prospective clients.
• Provide your referral link or submit referrals through your portal.
• Tell clients that RPA offers a wide range of commercial loan programs and that applying is free.
• Answer general questions about the referral process.
• Receive commissions for funded loans that originated from your referral.

7.2 What You May NOT Do

• Represent yourself as a loan originator, mortgage broker, or lender.
• Collect any fees, deposits, or charges from clients in connection with the loan.
• Discuss, negotiate, or advise on specific loan terms, rates, or conditions.
• Access or share confidential borrower financial information.
• Make promises or guarantees about loan approval, rates, or timelines on behalf of RPA.
• Submit false or misleading information in any referral.

7.3 State Law Considerations

Most states permit referral agent compensation for commercial real estate loan referrals without requiring a mortgage or real estate license, provided the agent's role is limited to making the introduction and does not involve loan origination activities. However, some states impose restrictions. You are responsible for understanding and complying with the laws of your state.

7.4 Disclosure to Clients

Best practice is to disclose to clients that you have a referral relationship with RPA and that you may receive compensation if their loan funds. Transparency builds trust and protects both you and your client.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

9. Glossary