Responsible Lending and the Power of Quality
Applying responsible lending standards ensures you and your borrowers are successful throughout the entire life of a mortgage. Our continuing efforts to strengthen the loan manufacturing process and maintain a strong quality control program are key elements of responsible lending and critical for a strong mortgage finance system.
Together, by recognizing and capitalizing on The Power of Quality, we can help stabilize the housing market, foster successful long-term homeownership, and rebuild consumer confidence.
Responsible Lending: Strong Loan Attributes and Solid Underwriting
To us, responsible lending requires a combination of strong loan attributes and solid underwriting processes: defining acceptable loan parameters through credit policies and then having processes that ensure the right data is collected, verified, and complies with our guidelines.
Focus On Credit, Capacity, and Collateral
Focusing on the “three C’s” – credit, capacity, and collateral – of traditional underwriting is key to delivering higher quality loans and avoiding potential loan deficiencies. Take advantage of these resources to expand your knowledge in this critical area.
Credit
Increase your knowledge of assessing a borrower’s credit based on their credit history and credit score.
- Tools & References
- Training
Capacity
Develop your understanding about analyzing and documenting a borrower's assets, acceptable sources of funds, and income and employment history.
- Tools & References
- Training
Collateral
Improve your proficiency in reviewing appraisal or property inspection reports in order to meet Freddie Mac requirements.
- Tools & References
- Improving Appraisal Quality and Accuracy article – New
- Reviewing Appraisals in Today’s Mortgage Market
- Best Practices for Underwriting and Appraisals
- Best Practices for Transactions Involving Possible Property Flips
- Components of an Effective Appraisal Management Process job aid
- Understanding the HVE Messages Returned with Loan Prospector Results job aid
- Training
Improving Your Loan Manufacturing Process Through Fraud Prevention and Quality Control
Having a rigorous post-funding quality control program and sound pre-funding quality control practices will help you prevent mortgage fraud so that you can deliver high-quality loans. In addition, having strong quality control programs in place enables us to better understand your activities as we strengthen our existing quality control processes.
Quality Control
We're demonstrating our commitment to quality control by enhancing our due diligence at more points in the loan process. Look to the resources below to help you better understand our quality control processes.
- A Renewed Focus on Quality Control
- Quality Control, Fraud Prevention, and Wholesale Origination Best Practices
- Freddie Mac Quality Control - Webinar
- Focus on The FACTS: The Key to Strengthening Loan Quality
Fraud Prevention and Anti-Predatory Lending
Strengthen your awareness of detecting and effectively preventing mortgage fraud.
Make sure to visit The Learning Center for a complete list of available and upcoming webinars, quick references, and other tools that address responsible lending standards.