The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is urging a major overhaul of how lenders access credit data for loans delivered to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, calling their tri-merge mandate—requiring credit reports from all three major credit bureaus—"an outdated relic" that drives up costs and limits choice.
Mortgage rates held steady on August 12, 2025, providing a brief moment of calm for borrowers and lenders after a string of economic data releases. According to the Mortgage News Daily index, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate remains at 6.58%, unchanged from the previous day and comfortably within its recent range.
The Trump administration is reportedly exploring an initial public offering (IPO) for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by the end of 2025—a move that could generate up to $30 billion by selling between 5% and 15% of shares to public investors. If executed, the offering would be among the largest IPOs in history and signal a major shift in U.S. housing finance policy.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has launched a proposal to repeal its 2024 Fair Lending, Fair Housing, and Equitable Housing Finance Plans rule, citing redundancy with existing regulations and seeking to ease administrative burdens on Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks. The move marks a significant shift in housing policy less than two years after the rule was finalized.
A new debate is emerging in Washington as lawmakers push back against a controversial move by Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte, who has instructed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to explore the use of cryptocurrency in mortgage underwriting. The initiative would permit borrowers to include crypto assets held on U.S.-regulated exchanges in their financial reserves—even without converting them to dollars—raising alarms among Senate Democrats.
Most underwriters and processors have the basics of calculating income down to a science. The hourly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and annual calculations are second nature to those of us who calculate income every day. As a result, many processors and underwriters will manually execute their calculations on an underwriting or processing worksheet. Many underwriters will also type their calculation on their underwriting transmittal. However, there are some drawbacks to manual calculations that an income calculation worksheet can overcome.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® 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 NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
The Single Family Handbook 4000.1 changed the name of the Streamline 203(k) program to the “limited program. Properties being reviewed for the 203(k) program that have commercial influences as contained in a Mixed-Use property, One unit must be owner occupied primary unit and the non residential portion of the property cannot exceed 49% of the square footage. The health and safety of the residential units and residents must be of primary concern. If there is a question of the health and safety contact HUD as you would be surprised of the properties HUD has rejected for health and safety concerns.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® 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 NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Borrowers have all kinds of income. Most have traditional income with a periodic pay stub and a W – 2 a long with a IRS form 1040 in order to determine the income and to verify the income. The self – employed borrowers have the appropriate tax documents to determine and verify their income.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® 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 NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Fannie Mae has announced the launch of their Home Ready Program which is the replacement product of the Community Home Buyer Program.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® 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 NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Appraiser’s when completing an appraisal report now place on every appraisal report the “Quality Ratings” on every appraisal report. These ratings are numbered after the “Q”. They can be from Q1 through Q6. The underwriter should make notice of the Quality Rating as well as the Condition Rating (C1 – C6)
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® 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 NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
All underwriters must review the appraisal report for each and every transaction that is being underwritten. The underwriter’s must take notice of the rating codes found in the Marketing Approach of each appraisal report. Failure to make notice of the code could result in a mortgage loan file not being purchases.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® 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 NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Over the years many FHA lenders have completed FHA deals with a gift incorrectly resulting in an indemnification. For those not familiar with the term “indemnification” it means that the FHA is removing the FHA insurance for a specific mortgage loan. If that loan defaults the lender would have to make good on the loan or have to buy the loan back since the FHA loan has lost their FHA insurance. The new Single Family Handbook 4000.1 spells out how to underwrite deals with a gift.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® 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 NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
My previous article explained how HUD (FHA) wanted underwriters to review and to come up with an income trend using the borrower’s personal tax returns. There are many borrowers that self-employed and these borrowers use other forms to demonstrate their income trend.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® 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 NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Underwriters from time to time have difficulty in determining the income to use when they receive a complicated or very involved tax return.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® 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 NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Living and working in the New York Metropolitan area we often come in contact numerous religions, numerous ethnic groups and numerous traditions. In the New York area we have many orthodox Jewish people who do not believe in paying or receive interest from another. This group has GMACH which is one of the largest interest free bank staffed by volunteers.
Opinion-Editorial (Op-Ed) Disclaimer For NAMP® Library Articles: The views and opinions expressed in the NAMP® Library articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official NAMP® 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 NAMP®. Nothing contained in this article should be considered legal advice.
Written By: Bonnie Wildt
I have said it before and I will say it again and that is, do not believe everything you hear or read for that matter. In this particular instance I am referring to AUS Findings. I have had countless conversations with processors and loan officer who want to know why I am asking for documentation that the AUS findings have clearly stated wasn’t needed or worse, they can’t believe I am turning a loan down that has an Approve/Eligible. So here it is again and pay particular attention to the details because just because you have an Approve/Eligible or Accept doesn’t necessarily mean you have a done deal.