Fannie Mae has announced a significant change to its underwriting criteria: the removal of the minimum FICO® credit‑score requirement from its Selling Guide for loans submitted to Desktop Underwriter beginning November 15. Previously, Fannie Mae mandated a minimum credit‑score threshold for every loan delivered to the secondary market, with borrowers required to meet specific FICO® ranges as part of eligibility.
The administration has floated a proposal to allow 50‑year fixed‑rate mortgages as a tool to help reduce monthly payments for homebuyers, particularly younger households struggling with elevated housing costs. The concept re‑emerged after posts on social media from the Donald Trump and Bill Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), signaling that longer amortization terms are under active consideration.
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte has signaled that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are exploring major changes to conventional‑mortgage offerings by evaluating assumable and portable loan structures. According to Pulte, the goal is to make these options available “in a safe and sound manner” under the GSEs’ oversight.
Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, has revealed plans to completely shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) within the coming months—an announcement that has sent ripples through the financial services industry and consumer advocacy circles. Vought, a longtime critic of the CFPB, previously led efforts to cut nearly 90% of the agency’s staff and freeze its funding. Now, he has laid out a more definitive objective: to bring the bureau’s operations to a close by 2026.
The Federal Reserve’s move toward ending quantitative tightening (QT)—its large‑scale reduction of Treasury and mortgage‑backed security holdings—is sparking interest in how the housing finance market might respond. According to commentary in the industry, the conclusion of QT could potentially pave the way for lower mortgage rates, though timing and magnitude remain uncertain.
In cases where borrowers are unable to qualify due to unacceptable credit, lenders may provide credit repair coaching as a customer service benefit.Providing this service will allow the consumer to reapply at a later date with more success. Prior to issuing an adverse action, explore all options for approval. This will allow you to provide detailed information to the borrower regarding areas where their credit application can be improved.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
For many years credit scoring was not present and the analysis of an applicant’s credit report was very subjective. The review was often loaded with cultural biases and had no rhyme or reason.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
As we all know, until the late nineties when there was no concept of an automated underwriting system, processors had to manually process and underwriters had to manually underwrite a file.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
Something happened this week and it was big enough that I’m sure you’ve heard or read about it unless you’ve been camping out under a rock. Let me say this- Allied Home Mortgage. So you’ve heard?
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
After a long, hard Winter in many areas of the U.S., Spring is on the horizon which means business is about to pick up again for many of us with the start of construction season. This means NOW is the time to take a look at your loan processing and submission habits to seek out areas of improvement. Below are some standard processor submission tips to help you submit high quality, complete loan files to your underwriters.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
Hello Everybody – Hope everyone is staying busy. In my hunt for a topic every week, sometimes it is easy and other times, I haven’t a clue what I will write about until the last minute. This week was one of those last minute thoughts – so I hope this blog is helpful.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMU® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMU® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMU® policy or position. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world application as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of NAMU®. Nothing contained in this articles should be considered legal advice.
Written By: Stacey Sprain
As an FHA originator, processor or underwriter, it’s likely that in the ongoing foreclosure market you’ll run across a HUD REO loan at some point. The purpose of this multi-part article is to provide you with some useful information to help in your endeavors.