MLO Exam Questions Tutorials

The SAFE Act (Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act) requires all state-licensed mortgage loan originators (MLOs) to complete annual continuing education (CE) as part of their licensure requirements. This includes 8 hours of CE, covering topics like federal law, ethics, and nontraditional mortgage products.

The goal of the SAFE Act is to ensure MLOs are knowledgeable about regulations, ethical practices, and current mortgage industry trends. Failing to complete the required education can result in a license being suspended or revoked.

Other Acts:

The Dodd-Frank Act (B) sets broader regulations, such as those related to mortgage loan origination compensation.

TILA (C) governs disclosures and loan terms but does not mandate CE.

ECOA (D) focuses on preventing discrimination in credit but does not require CE.

References:

SAFE Act, 12 USC §5101

NMLS Continuing Education Requirements

The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) applies to certain types of high-cost loans, particularly refinance and home equity loans, that meet specific APR and fee thresholds. HOEPA was enacted to protect consumers from predatory lending practices in loans that carry excessive fees, high interest rates, or abusive terms.

HOEPA mainly covers:

Refinance loans

Home equity loans

Closed-end home equity loans

Certain purchase-money mortgages under specific conditions

Loans like construction loans (B), reverse mortgages (C), and USDA Rural Development loans (D) are generally excluded from HOEPA coverage.

References:

Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA), 15 U.S.C. § 1639

CFPB HOEPA Guidelines

A second (subordinate) mortgage loan refers to a mortgage taken out after the primary mortgage and is subordinate to the first in priority of claims on the property in case of default or foreclosure. One of the most common types of subordinate mortgages is a home equity line of credit (HELOC).

HELOC allows homeowners to borrow against the equity in their home, typically after the first mortgage, making it a subordinate loan.

Other options:

Government home purchase loans (A) and conventional home purchase loans (B) are typically first mortgages.

A home equity conversion mortgage (C) is a type of reverse mortgage, which is also typically a primary loan, not a subordinate one.

References:

Fannie Mae Selling Guide on subordinate financing

HELOC regulations under Regulation Z

To prove that an account listed on a credit report has been paid off, the borrower must provide an updated statement showing a zero balance. This is the most direct and verifiable method for a lender to confirm the account has been settled.

Oral confirmation (A) or a letter from the borrower (C) are not acceptable documentation, as they lack third-party verification.

No further documentation would be required if the credit report already reflects the zero balance, but until then, updated documentation is necessary.

References:

Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Standard mortgage underwriting documentation guidelines