Check out our new membership subscription option for any loan originator who is ready to learn how to earn more money and become a mortgage expert in under a year. This material will set up a mortgage originator for life. This plan is offered at a price everyone can afford. The recommendations made in this course are not taught in any other training program. The best value in mortgage training now includes AML and Cyber …
I have been receiving many inquiries about what it takes to start a mortgage broker business and how to get started. I recently spoke to a gentleman who thought he wanted to start his own business, but after our lengthy conversation, he came to the conclusion “I just want to originate.” How much time and money did a conversation possibly save him? In 1994, I became an originator. I was being recruited by a local …
In a startling turn of events, two major players in the mortgage and real estate industry have been dealt a hefty blow with fines totaling a staggering $1.95 million. The penalties come as a result of their failure to comply with the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), a federal law designed to safeguard consumers in real estate transactions. The mortgage company, known for its prominence in the market, and the real estate agency, a …
Do you know how money is actually laundered through real estate transactions? Do you know your Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Training Requirements? Between 2015 and 2020, at least $2.3 billion was laundered through US real estate, with estimates by Washington, D.C. think tank Global Financial Integrity (GFI), putting the number much higher. The real estate sector is now coming under increased scrutiny from government regulators and enforcement agencies for its compliance with anti-money laundering and reporting …
On October 13, 2022 the Federal Department of Labor published findings in Vol. 87, No. 197 of the Federal Register. The W-2/1099 controversary hits many businesses. As stated in previous posts, there is no special 1099 consideration for mortgage loan originators. Regardless of which state you work in or which type of employer your work for, Mortgage Loan Originators are required to have their income reported on IRS Form W-2. There are many companies that …
How does a mortgage company meet the statutory requirement for Anti-Money Laundering education? The question comes up because many companies do not comply with the annual education requirement for all employees. In our opinion the law and regulations on AML training is purposely not specific because the term education is defined by the outcome and not the input. More simply put if you understand the requirements of the law you are educated. To be sure …
The overlap between federal and state laws and regulations becomes very apparent once there is an examination and/or an enforcement action. With COVID dominating our work environment over the past two years, not many audits or exams were scheduled by state regulators. That is all about to change. They are way behind and will begin the process of catching up sooner than you may be ready for. In many cases where mortgage companies get caught …
Mortgage Processing Fundamentals is an on-demand, video recorded program which presents the base of knowledge needed to succeed at residential mortgage processing. The course is written and presented by a 25-year seasoned loan originator who has processed her own loans. The fundamentals are universal and can be applied to any processing position. While processors perform some or all the included functions, the course provides an overview of all the necessary responsibilities and tasks to move …
With rates going up, refinance volume quickly heading south and originators looking for the next shiny thing, we are bound to see movement in the industry. That means mergers, buyouts and some companies closing. Migrating originators can be a tricky challenge for the next employer. There are two issues that may surface; who owns the customer and how were the originators compensated? I’ll save the former for another time. Last week I received a call …
Real estate transactions are the easiest way to launder money due to the size of the transactions and the amount of money that can be “cleaned”. All financial institutions are required to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act. Money laundering may also involve tax fraud as well as other potential crimes. All “financial institutions” must comply. According to the Bank Secrecy Act, a “financial institution” includes an exhaustive list of entities, including but not limited to: …
Why the two tier system anyway? Do consumers realize the difference? For the sake of full disclosure, my business is education. I am a mortgage educator. I write, record and instruct courses for depository and non-depository originators alike. Their job is the same! One could reasonably argue that I have an agenda; I earn my living on education. Does that make the argument for all originators to be educated any less valid? In 2007, I …
April 29, 2020 – The CFPB issued an Interpretive Rule today titled: Application of Certain Provisions in the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule and Regulation Z Right of Rescission Rules in Light of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The rule allows for COVID-19 to be a “financial emergency reason for borrowers to WAIVE the TRID closing waiting period and the three-day right of rescission. “The Bureau understands that the COVID-19 pandemic could pose temporary business disruptions and challenges …
26,000,000 people filed for unemployment in the past several weeks; and it’s not over! The Coronavirus is causing serious financial issues for states. For the first time ever, independent contractors are eligible under the CARES Act , even though unemployment taxes may not have been paid in. When the states start looking at all the workers who were 1099, what action will they take? The IRS is just as interested in independent contractors, even more …
Learn how to get YOUR Tripod. Free LIVE Webinar on May 5th 12:00 Noon ET! In this COVID-19 world, companies need all possible resources at their fingertips to keep businesses going and growing to recruit and provide quality professional development in a safe environment. Is consumer direct the future of mortgage origination with all the hidden pitfalls? While it may be a smart strategy for banks and credit unions to grow market share, retain servicing …
If you really, really procrastinated taking 2019 CE be glad this is a leap year! Last fall the NMLS published a Notice on 2020 Late CE Course Catalog. The notice included rules in an overview, which if you are licensed MLO, you already know, right? But…since there are two whole days left, we wanted to give you one last, late chance! The Model State Law, which a majority of states adopted when passing their own …
With so much focus on AB5, California and the IRS reporting of originator income, is it possible we are missing the 10,000 lb gorilla? California is leading the country into a necessary review of worker misclassification. Recently New Jersey, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oregon and Washington joined California with their version of how to address this issue of “worker misclassification.” The SAFE Act passed in Congress on July 30, 2008 mandated that all states adopt …
It’s a new year with all the hopes that January brings…it’s also Monday. New week, same old issues. You are in charge of “training.” You yawn, sip your coffee and try to remember where you left off on Friday afternoon. In-house training departments face many challenges. They are expensive and labor intensive. The cost to acquire, develop, maintain, update and deliver content and systems is an ongoing battle. Compliance takes over when new mortgage laws …
December 18, 2020 – Did you attend one of our live seminars on the new 1003 this year? If so, we got side-railed a bit when the GSE’s delayed the implementation date. Well, it appears we are back on track. Today the FHFA and GSEs announced the mandatory deadline for using the new URLA: NOVEMBER 1, 2020. At least they gave us some time. Directly integrated lenders and software providers may begin testing the new …
Connecticut Independent Mortgage Brokers Association offers live webinar. While a renewed interest in employee classifications started in Califorinia, it is spreading across the country. The recent California Dynamex Case codified the terms under which a “worker” can be classified as an independent contractor under the “ABC” Test (Assembly Bill 5). The California law takes effect January 1, 2020 and many states are following suit. In March 2020, the CA Supreme Court will rule on whether …
If you followed our mini series on California’s latest law AB5, you know that independent contractor “1099” status just got tougher in CA. AB5 seriously increased the ability for state and federal governments to reclassify workers from independent contractors to “employee”(W-2) status. If this is not a topic you are familiar with, you may want to watch this 5 part mini-series. Episode 1The Dynamex Case Episode 2Dynamex Exemptions Episode 3Dynamex Penalties Episode 4Dynamex What You …