Can Bank of America's Loan Origination Fee Be Reduced?

Whenever a consumer takes out a loan, the lender charges an origination fee for the cost of processing the loan application. Home mortgage fees are usually 0.5% to 1.0% of the loan amount and are negotiable as are most loan origination fees. However, many consumers are unaware that the origination fee can be reduced.

If you are contemplating a loan with Bank of America, let DoNotPay help you reduce your loan origination fee.

What Is an Origination Fee?

Origination fees include processing and underwriting fees. Some lenders separate the origination fee into two components while others combine them into one fee.

Processing fees include the cost of receiving an application and collecting documentation before sending the information to underwriting.

Next, underwriters assess the risk of loaning the requested amount to the applicant. They look at the loan amount, collateral, and individual's ability to repay the loan. Underwriters earn their pay, and that cost is also included in the origination fee.

Origination Fees for Home Mortgages

For home mortgages, origination fees are a part of closing costs. And different lenders charge different fees. To compare closing costs, look at the base and annual percentage rates.

• The base rate is the interest rate.
• The annual percentage rate includes the base interest rate, plus closing costs.
• The difference between the base and annual rate is what the lender is charging in closing costs and fees.
• The bigger the difference, the more the lender is charging in fees and closing costs.

Origination Fees for Other Loans

There are no laws regulating origination fees except for student loans. For example, personal loans can have origination fees of as much as 8%.

That's why it's important to shop around when looking for a loan. Since lenders set their origination fees, they can also reduce them. So it's worth exploring the option of reducing origination fees.

How to Reduce Loan Origination Fees

All lenders must disclose their fees before a loan is processed, including their origination fees.

If you want to reduce the fee, consider the following:

• Negotiate. Talk to Bank of America's loan officer about lowering your origination fee. Loan officers may be willing to work with you to find a lower origination fee if it is preventing you from taking out a loan.
• Ask the Seller. If you are buying a house, you can ask the seller to help by paying all or part of the origination fee. This approach only works in a buyer's market where sellers are having difficulty selling homes. If there are more buyers than sellers, sellers will move to the next offer rather than lose part of their asking price.
• Buy Credits. You may be able to buy credits or points to help cover the costs. However, lender credits can often result in higher interest rates.
• Shop Around. Look at different lenders before committing to Bank of America. Some lenders offer no origination-fee loans to encourage consumers to use their company.

Plan on this process taking time, with several back-and-forth discussions before a solution is reached.

How to Get Bank of America's Origination Fees Waived With DoNotPay

If you're looking to lower your loan origination fees from Bank of America and don't want to spend hours on it, DoNotPay has you covered with these four easy steps:

1. Open the DoNotPay Fight Bank Fees product.

2. Enter the name of your bank.

3. Verify the last four digits of your bank account.

4. Choose which fees you want to waive, including overdraft, ATM, and transaction fees.

Click “submit,” and DoNotPay will make the request on your behalf!

What Other Fees Can DoNotPay Help Waive?

Origination fees are not the only Bank of America fees that DoNotPay can reduce for you. The service can help with Bank of America overdraft and ATM fees. The app can find banks without overdraft fees and those that do not charge overdraft fees on non-banking days.

DoNotPay can also work with other financial institutions to waive fees, including:

Why Use DoNotPay

Consumers often complain about bank fees but are unaware that they can ask lenders to reduce or waive them. With DoNotPay's online service, you can save money on a range of banking fees.

DoNotPay is:

• Fast. Answer a few questions and let DoNotPay take care of the rest.
• Simple. Visit the DoNotPay website and pick the service you want. Follow the simple steps without leaving your home.
• Reliable. DoNotPay works until the task is done, ensuring each request is executed.

If you're looking for someone or something to take care of contract issues and tasks, DoNotPay is the solution. Sign up today.