BANKING / FINANCE

Mortgage Affiliations: When most people imagine a cooperative, a group of farmers comes to mind. But in Orange County, a group of mortgage brokers are giving the concept a broader meaning.

Indeed, the concept for National Mortgage Affiliates, started by a pair of Orange County mortgage brokers two months ago, is based on farming cooperatives.

“When farmers went through tough times, they banded together,” said Jerry Kaufman, principal of RPM Mortgage in Laguna Niguel and co-founder of the co-op. He formed the group with Robert Roof of RPM and Roof’s brother, Richard, of RFG Mortgage in San Ramon.

Membership has grown from six companies to 17 throughout California, he said.

The group wants to enhance the profitability of its members by obtaining discounts on volume purchases of paper products, advertising and professional services, such as accounting and legal help. The group also plans to subscribe to group benefit programs that will reduce the cost to the individual companies.

Not everyone is welcome to join, however. Companies seeking membership in National Mortgage Affiliates will be evaluated by an acceptance committee that checks references and credit history to ensure that applicants are in good standing with the Department of Real Estate.