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CFPB Issues Interpretitive Rule on Screening and Training Requirements for Mortgage Loan Originators

November 18, 2019 / Source: CFPB

CFPB Issues Interpretitive Rule on Screening and Training Requirements for Mortgage Loan Originators

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) issued today an interpretive rule clarifying screening and training requirements for financial institutions which employ loan originators with temporary authority. The rule will be effective on November 24, 2019.

The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) established a national system for licensing and registration of loan originators. It contemplates two categories of loan originators, those working for state-licensed mortgage companies and those working for Federally-regulated financial institutions. Section 106 of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (EGRRCPA) establishes a third category, loan originators with temporary authority to originate loans. Loan originators with temporary authority are loan originators who were previously registered or licensed, are employed by a state-licensed mortgage company, are applying for a new state loan originator license, and meet other criteria specified in the statute. Loan originators with temporary authority may act as a loan originator for a temporary period of time, as specified in the statute, in a state while that state considers their application for a loan originator license.

All loan originators must satisfy certain criminal history screening and training requirements.  Under the SAFE Act, before issuing a state loan originator license, states must ensure that the individual never has had a loan originator license revoked; has not been convicted of enumerated felonies within specified timeframes; demonstrated financial responsibility, character, and fitness; completed 20 hours of pre-licensing education; and passed state specific testing requirements. Under Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act, employers must perform substantially the same screening of certain loan originators before permitting them to originate loans. Employers must also ensure certain training for those loan originators. The interpretive rule clarifies that the employer is not required to conduct the screening and ensure the training of loan originators with temporary authority. The state will perform the screening and training as part of its review of the individual’s application for a state loan originator license.

The interpretive rule may be found here: https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/201911_cfpb_final-rule_loan-originator.pdf .

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The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a 21st century agency that helps consumer finance markets work by regularly identifying and addressing outdated, unnecessary, or unduly burdensome regulations, by making rules more effective, by consistently enforcing federal consumer financial law, and by empowering consumers to take more control over their economic lives. For more information, visit consumerfinance.gov.