Exam 3 Flashcards
“Equity” is defined as:
- The difference between the fair market value of a property and the current balances of any liens
- The difference between the appraised value and the purchase price
- The relationship between the value of the house and a borrower’s assets
- The balance of any liens divided by the proposed value of any new loan
The answer is the difference between the fair market value of a property and the current balances of any liens. The equity in a borrower’s home is the difference between the fair market value of a property and the current balance of any liens.
In order for a small creditor to originate a balloon payment qualified mortgage, the small creditor must hold the loan in its portfolio for:
- Twelve months
- Three years
- Two years
- Five years
The answer is three years. In order for a small creditor to originate a balloon payment qualified mortgage, the small creditor must hold the loan in its portfolio for three years.
Under the Truth in Lending Act, a creditor is defined as:
- A natural person, business, or financial organization that services mortgage loans
- A natural person that extends at least 10 open-end loans per calendar year
- A natural person, business, or financial organization that regularly extends credit to consumers
- A natural person, business, or financial organization that extends at least 15 open-end loans per year
The answer is a natural person, business, or financial organization that regularly extends credit to consumers. A creditor is defined by TILA as “a natural person, business, or financial organization that regularly extends credit to consumers”.
Which government agency is responsible for policing and enforcing misleading advertisement for credit?
- HUD
- CFPB
- TILA
- Federal Reserve
The answer is CFPB. The CFPB now has primary enforcement responsibility over TILA. The FTC does still retain some authority.
A fully-documented loan for a salaried borrower should include all of the following, except:
- Year-to-date profit and loss statements
- W-2s for the past two years
- Paystubs for the most recent 30 days
- Complete employment information for the most recent two years
The answer is year-to-date profit and loss statements. A salaried borrower would generally be asked to provide a lender with documentation of his/her past two years’ employment, W-2s for those years, and paystubs for the most recent 30 days.
The size of the government’s guarantee on a VA loan depends on:
- Whether the interest rate is fixed or adjustable
- Whether this is the first time a veteran uses the guarantee or a subsequent transaction
- The length of the loan term
- The size of the loan being obtained
The answer is the size of the loan being obtained. The size of the government’s guarantee on a VA loan depends on the size of the loan being obtained.
For what length of time can a bankruptcy remain on a credit report?
- No more than ten years
- No more than one year
- No more than seven years
- No longer than three years after it is paid
The answer is no more than ten years. The FCRA requires that outdated negative financial information remain on a consumer’s credit report no longer than seven years, and for bankruptcies, ten years.
UFMIP is paid:
- in full when the loan reaches maturity.
- at the end of each year of the loan term.
- in full at the time of closing.
- at the end of each month.
The answer is in full at the time of closing. UFMIP is paid in full at the time of closing, or may be financed.
The most commonly used type of reverse mortgage is known as a:
- Proprietary loan
- Home equity conversion mortgage
- Single-purpose conforming mortgage
- Interest-only loan
The answer is home equity conversion mortgage. The home equity conversion mortgage (HECM) is the most commonly used of the three forms of reverse mortgages.
This is the term for a charge paid by the borrower when repaying loan principal earlier than required by the amortization schedule.
- Acceleration
- Prepayment penalty
- Early termination fee
- Payoff penalty
The answer is prepayment penalty. A prepayment penalty is a charge paid by the borrower when repaying loan principal earlier than required by the amortization schedule.
How many total hours of ethics are required, at minimum, for pre-licensing education?
- 20
- 8
- 16
- 3
The answer is 3. The NMLS requires, as a federal minimum, at least three hours of ethics training within the total 20 hours of education required for pre-licensing education.
The “Confirm Receipt” box on the Loan Estimate informs the consumer that:
- He or she is now obligated to proceed with the loan transaction
- He or she has agreed to all costs and terms stated in the disclosure
- He or she is not obligated to accept a loan simply because he or she has signed or received the disclosure
- He or she may face legal action for failure to pay fees due at the time of receiving the Loan Estimate
The answer is he or she is not obligated to accept a loan simply because he or she has signed or received the disclosure. The “Confirm Receipt” box on the Loan Estimate informs the consumer that he or she is not obligated to accept a loan simply because he or she has signed or received the disclosure.
The federal agency that implements and enforces rules related to the origination of FHA loans is the:
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)
The answer is Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Department of Housing and Urban Development implements and enforces rules related to FHA lending.
Which of the following might raise a red flag and suggest that further investigation is necessary to ensure that there is no fraud in an application?
- The applicant uses a co-borrower with a different last name
- Information in corporate-produced W-2s matches that given in the application
- The borrower’s claimed income is not consistent with their employment
- Savings patterns and accumulated assets make sense considering the borrower’s level of income
The answer is the borrower’s claimed income is not consistent with their employment. In the end, sometimes the “Common Sense Rule” catches incidents of fraud. A borrower who claims to be making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year but whose records show employment as a teacher probably has some explaining to do. Close consideration and comparison of the information available can help detect fraud.
When would a license be suspended without a hearing?
- If a licensee fails to renew
- If a licensee fails to request a hearing with the state regulator
- If a licensee has failed to complete pre-licensing requirements
- If a licensee has already executed a right to a hearing for a previous violation
The answer is if a licensee fails to request a hearing with the state regulator. The NMLS does not require a hearing. Under most circumstances, the licensee has the right to request a hearing with the state banking department. If one is not requested, a hearing is not conducted.
Which of the following is not permitted for a HOEPA loan?
- Documenting a borrower’s ability to repay the loan
- Requiring a balloon payment after the first five years
- Refinancing into another HOEPA loan within 12 months if it is in the borrower’s best interest
- Making a loan solely based on the collateral value of the property
The answer is making a loan solely based on the collateral value of the property. Under HOEPA, you may not make a loan solely based on the value of the borrower’s collateral without considering his/her ability to repay the loan.
Stan is a loan processor who works closely with Heidi, who is a licensed loan originator. Both are employed by a state-licensed mortgage broker. While Heidi was out of the office, one of her clients called to ask whether it would be better to apply for an ARM or a fixed-rate loan. How should Stan respond?
- He should advise the client that he cannot discuss loan terms, but will have Heidi return the call
- He should only respond to the client’s question if the transaction is for a home purchase and the client needs to expedite loan approval to purchase the home
- He should refer the client to the Settlement Cost Booklet
- He should not take the call since the law prohibits him from communicating directly with consumers
The answer is he should advise the client that he cannot discuss loan terms, but will have Heidi return the call. Stan is a loan processor, and therefore, he is not a licensed mortgage loan originator. He should advise the client that he cannot discuss loan terms, but will have Heidi return the call.
During initial application for a license, loan originators must make disclosure of all of the following, except:
- Regulatory history
- Criminal history
- Civil and administrative records
- Three-year history of loan production
The answer is three-year history of loan production. A loan originator is not required to document prior experience or production history as a condition of licensure.
The preferred debt-to-income ratio for applicants for VA loans is:
- 35%
- 43%
- 50%
- 41%
The answer is 41%. The preferred DTI ratio for VA loans is 41%. However, if a veteran cannot meet this limit, creditors may use a residual income analysis.
Which of the following would be a red flag concerning occupancy?
- The borrowers already own and reside in a property in the same neighborhood
- The subject property is in another state
- The borrower has not moved in within ten days after closing
- The property is three hours away and being declared as a second home
The answer is the borrowers already own and reside in a property in the same neighborhood. A borrower is unlikely to purchase a new primary residence in the same neighborhood as his/her current residence, unless one of the two will be an investment property, or he/she may be planning to let the old home go into foreclosure after purchasing the new home at current market values.
Those who disagree with the idea of a fiduciary duty in mortgage loan transactions feel that _____ is ultimately responsible for ensuring that a certain loan product has appropriate terms and conditions.
- The mortgage broker
- The lender
- The consumer
- The underwriter
The answer is the consumer. Those who disagree with the idea of a fiduciary duty in mortgage loan transactions feel that the consumer is ultimately responsible for ensuring that a certain loan product has appropriate terms and conditions.
Securitization helps lenders to:
- Make more loans to lesser-qualified customers
- Increase the menu of products available to their customers
- Provide funds to the highest bidder on the secondary market
- Exchange active loans to another entity to generate new funds to make more loans
The answer is exchange active loans to another entity to generate new funds to make more loans. The securitization process allows lenders to transfer active loans to another entity in exchange for funds to make more loans.
Which of the following is true regarding preparation and delivery of the Closing Disclosure?
- The borrower is ultimately responsible for ensuring he receives the Closing Disclosure.
- Creditors may not use settlement agents to provide the Closing Disclosure on their behalf.
- The creditor is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the borrower receives the Closing Disclosure.
- The settlement agent is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the borrower receives the Closing Disclosure.
The answer is the creditor is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the borrower receives the Closing Disclosure. Creditors are responsible for the preparation and delivery of the Closing Disclosure to the borrower. While they may use settlement agents to provide the Closing Disclosure on their behalf, the creditor is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the borrower receives the document.
All of the following requirements are applicable to HECMs, except:
- The loan must be secured by the borrower’s principal residence
- The applicant must complete a consumer information session on reverse mortgages loans
- The applicant must not have an existing mortgage on the residence
- The applicant must be at least 62 years old
The answer is the applicant must not have an existing mortgage on the residence. HECMs include several requirements, including that the applicant must be at least 62 years old; the applicant must complete a consumer information session on reverse mortgage loans; and the loan must be secured by the borrower’s principal residence.
How long must flood insurance be in place?
- The borrower can cancel at 80% of the loan balance
- Until the loan reaches the halfway point in the amortization table
- It cannot be canceled as long as the property remains in a mandatory flood zone
- Until the loan balance is completely paid off
The answer is until the loan balance is completely paid off. Flood insurance must stay in place at least until the loan balance is paid off and the lender no longer needs to be protected from the hazard.
What document would an underwriter rely on for detailed information concerning the collateral for a mortgage loan?
- The property appraisal
- The borrower’s asset statements
- The URLA
- The borrower’s employment documentation
The answer is the property appraisal. An underwriter would rely on the property appraisal for detailed information concerning the collateral for a mortgage loan.
An underwriter:
- Is responsible for approving an originator’s license
- Verifies that the applicant and subject property meet lender guidelines
- Looks for red flags in marketing
- Facilitates the Safeguards Rule for the lender
The answer is verifies that the applicant and subject property meet lender guidelines. The underwriter’s responsibility is to make sure that both the applicant and the property meet lender guidelines before approval for the investor.
It is ethical for a mortgage broker to offer a loan at a rate higher than the best rate available to the borrower:
- Never
- Only when the borrower is unaware and will likely not know
- If the lender agrees to subsidize the broker fees
- If the borrower chooses the rate in order to secure a borrower credit for closing costs
The answer is if the borrower chooses the rate in order to secure a borrower credit for closing costs. If the borrower is fully aware of and received all information about the costs of the loan, including borrower credit, and chooses to select a closing cost option that allows for a subsidy using the borrower credit to offset closing costs, then borrower credit has been handled ethically.
Typical violations of advertising provisions include the use of trigger terms without:
- Allowing the borrower to choose another alternative
- Giving the borrower a chance to choose his/her own service provider
- Explaining to the borrower how the originator is compensated
- Stating the less advantageous terms of repayment
The answer is stating the less advantageous terms of repayment. The use of a trigger term in advertising requires the additional disclosure of the less advantageous terms of the agreement, like balloon payments, negative amortization, or interest only payments.
If a consumer submits a complaint about a mortgage lender to the CFPB, the lender has _____ days to respond before the CFPB publishes the complaint in its public complaint database and pursues a potential investigation.
- 7
- 10
- 20
- 15
The answer is 15. If a consumer submits a complaint about a mortgage lender to the CFPB, the lender has 15 days to respond before the CFPB publishes the complaint in its public complaint database and pursues a potential investigation.
Which of the following is not a part of the definition of a loan originator?
- For compensation or gain, takes residential mortgage applications
- For the expectation of compensation or gain, offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan
- Person or entity that only performs real estate brokerage activities
- For compensation or gain, negotiates residential mortgage loans
The answer is person or entity that only performs real estate brokerage activities. Real estate brokerage activities are not considered within the definition of a loan originator.
The Truth in Lending Act protects consumers in the mortgage market by:
- Using disclosures to ensure that consumers make informed choices for loan products
- Prohibiting subprime mortgage loan transactions
- Regulating the interest rates that creditors can charge for conventional mortgage loans
- Limiting the cost of settlement services by imposing caps on amounts charged
The answer is using disclosures to ensure that consumers make informed choices for loan products. The Truth in Lending Act protects consumers in the mortgage market by using disclosures to ensure that consumers make informed choices for loan products and are given opportunities to understand the fees and charges that accompany mortgage loans.
The right to rescind is one that consumers may:
- Not waive
- Waive if they notify the creditor at the time of the loan application that they wish to do so
- Waive if they do so in writing in order to meet a bona fide financial emergency
- Waive if they complete a printed form
The answer is waive if they do so in writing in order to meet a bona fide financial emergency. The right to rescind is one that consumers may waive if they do so in writing in order to meet a bona fide financial emergency.
The reporting form used to communicate HMDA data is called what?
- 1073
- Loan/Registration Application
- 1004
- Loan/Application Register
The answer is Loan/Application Register. The form used for reporting HMDA data is called the Loan/Application Register (LAR).
When a borrower chooses to allow their interest rate to rise or fall with the market until the loan is closed, it is called:
- A lock-in
- A variable rate
- A float
- An adjustable rate
The answer is a float. If a borrower chooses to float the interest rate, the rate will not be set until closing unless the borrower obtains a lock-in (also called a rate lock or rate commitment).
The Foxes are obtaining a mortgage loan of $140,000. They are making a down payment of $35,000, which is 20% of the purchase price. What is the purchase price of the property?
- $150,000
- $200,000
- $175,000
- $235,000
The answer is $175,000. The purchase price of the home is $175,000. This can be determined by adding together the amount of the mortgage loan ($140,000) and the amount of the Foxes’ down payment ($35,000).
A balloon mortgage has a:
- Short-term payment that can go up or down from month to month throughout the life of the loan
- Payment that grows with each month as equity decreases
- Large payment required at the onset of the loan and periodic payments thereafter
- 30-year amortization period, but a requirement to pay the loan balance within a much shorter period of time
The answer is 30-year amortization period, but a requirement to pay the loan balance within a much shorter period of time. A balloon mortgage requires the borrower to make one large payment at the end of a loan term. This payment may also be referred to as a “call,” a “demand,” or a “bullet.” It often has a 30-year amortization, but is typically due in 5, 7, 10, or 15 years.
Lester is calculating prepaid finance charges that will be withheld from the proceeds of the loan. These direct loan charges paid by the borrower must be included in computing the:
- Annual percentage rate
- Broker fees and the amount charged by a third party
- Amount of the payment
- Length of the loan
The answer is annual percentage rate. A prepaid finance charge is any finance charge paid separately, in cash or by check, before or at the consummation of a transaction or withheld from the proceeds of the loan at any time. They are direct loan charges paid by the borrower that must be included in computing the annual percentage rate.
What is the primary purpose of the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act?
- Provide borrowers with a clear explanation of the cost of a loan through disclosure of APR and finance charges
- Allow a borrower the opportunity to remove PMI from his/her loan
- Identify discriminatory lending practices and determine if financial institutions are meeting the borrowing needs of their communities
- Use disclosures to help consumers shop for available credit options
The answer is identify discriminatory lending practices and determine if financial institutions are meeting the borrowing needs of their communities. Regulation C pertains to the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Through the collection of information about loan applications and settlements, HMDA attempts to identify if companies are using discriminatory lending practices and to determine if they are meeting the mortgage lending needs of their communities.
A borrower is buying a house with a sales price of $210,000, but the appraisal came in at $200,000. The borrower takes out a loan of $160,000. What is the LTV?
- 76%
- 90%
- 80%
- 75%
The answer is 80%. The LTV is calculated using the lesser of the purchase price and the appraised value. In this case, the loan amount of $160,000 is divided by the appraised value of $200,000 to get 80% LTV.
A lending transaction has been rescinded by a consumer with cold feet. What happens as a result?
- The lender no longer has security interest in the property, and the borrower is refunded any and all charges paid during the loan process
- The rescission may be challenged by the lender as long as it is within seven business days
- The lender no longer has security interest in the property, and the borrower is liable for any finance charges and appraisal costs
- After cancellation, the lender retains any money or property paid by the borrower
The answer is the lender no longer has security interest in the property, and the borrower is refunded any and all charges paid during the loan process. TILA requires that, in the event of rescission, the lender relinquish security interest in the property and return any and all money or property paid by the borrower. All parties are placed back in the exact position they were in before the transaction took place.
A property has a value of $165,000. The first mortgage has a current balance of $48,000, and there is a HELOC with a limit of $60,000. There is $30,000 drawn on it. What is the CLTV?
- 47%
- 29%
- 40%
- 65%
The answer is 47%. The CLTV accounts for the total encumbrance on the property, which in this case is $78,000. To calculate CLTV, divide the $78,000 total encumbrance by the value of $165,000. This equals 47%.
What federal legislation requires loan originators to collect demographic data to ensure that creditors are not engaging in discriminatory lending?
- ECOA
- HMDA
- GLB Act
- FCRA
The answer is HMDA. The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act is a reporting law that helps the federal government, among other things, identify discriminatory lending practices.
The Jepsons have brought mortgage loan originator Stanley Rothke a check to pay for loan origination fees, the private mortgage insurance premium, and the commitment fee. These charges are:
- Paid-outside-of-closing charges
- Prepaid finance charges
- Third-party charges
- Mortgage loan transaction fees
The answer is prepaid finance charges. A prepaid finance charge is any finance charge paid separately, in cash or by check, before or at consummation of a transaction or withheld from the proceeds of the loan at any time. They are direct charges paid by the borrower and include loan origination, discount, and commitment fees; any prepaid private mortgage insurance; underwriting, processing, tax service, and courier fees; buy-down funds; and prepaid interest.
Which of the following is the least-expensive type of reverse mortgage?
- HECM
- Proprietary mortgage
- Non-recourse
- Single purpose
The answer is single purpose. A single-purpose reverse mortgage is a low-cost loan offered to low-income borrowers by state and local agencies or non-profit organizations. They are typically made for purposes such as payment of property taxes or payment for home improvements.
When a seller provides all or part of the financing for the borrower in order to finance a purchase transaction, it is known as:
- For sale by owner (FSBO)
- Seller carry-back
- Seller concessions
- Seller self-financed
The answer is seller carry-back. In a purchase transaction involving an assumable mortgage, when the party selling the property provides all or part of the financing, it is referred to as a seller carry-back.
Which of the following is not a prohibited practice regarding loan originator compensation?
- A loan originator receives .5% more compensation if a loan contains a prepayment penalty
- A loan originator receives compensation for closing over $1 million in volume per month
- A loan originator receives 10% more compensation if he/she closes more than ten transactions in a month with an interest rate of 6.5% or more
- A loan originator receives compensation from a consumer and from the creditor
The answer is a loan originator receives compensation for closing over $1 million in volume per month. A loan originator is prohibited from receiving compensation based on the terms of a loan, such as prepayment penalties or interest rates, and is prohibited from receiving dual compensation (i.e., from both the consumer and the creditor).
The Loan Estimate is required for:
- All mortgage loans
- All closed-end federally related mortgage loans
- All nontraditional mortgage loans
- All open-end mortgage loans
The answer is all closed-end federally related mortgage loans. The Loan Estimate is required for all closed-end federally related mortgage loans.
Which section of the URLA contains questions which, depending on the applicant’s answer, could result in immediate rejection of the application?
- Information for Government Monitoring Purposes
- Declarations
- Details of the Transaction
- Acknowledgement and Agreement
The answer is declarations. The “Declarations” section of the URLA contains questions which, depending on the applicant’s answer, could result in immediate rejection of the application.
All of the following are considered involuntary liens, except:
- Mortgage
- Mechanic’s lien
- Tax lien
- Judgment
The answer is mortgage. An involuntary lien is “imposed” on a borrower. In the case of a mortgage, a borrower would “consent” to having a lien on his/her home.