The Redesigned URLA Mandate Is Around the Corner. Will Your Technology Solution Be Ready?
This article relates to the Uniform Mortgage Data Program®, an effort undertaken jointly by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae at the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. This article was submitted to MBA NewsLink by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
December is always a busy month, and this is especially true for mortgage lenders this year. With 2021 rapidly approaching, the deadline to implement the redesigned URLA and updated automated underwriting system (AUS) datasets will be here before we know it. Starting March 1, 2021, for all new loans and AUS submissions, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) will accept only the redesigned Uniform Residential Loan Application (URLA/Freddie Mac Form 65/Fannie Mae Form 1003) and the MISMO v3.4 AUS files.
For lenders to be ready on time, it is important that plans to update all URLA-related technology are well underway. Authorized solution providers must complete GSE AUS testing to verify their updated software, a process that can take more than 30 days.
Deployment of their new solutions and completion of testing and troubleshooting may add 30 days or more to your implementation timelines. Depending on where your solution provider is in the process, you could be at risk of missing the mandate.
Down to the Wire
Most solution providers have completed GSE testing and verification, and we are working closely with those remaining to encourage them to complete testing as soon as possible. A little nudging on your end may help motivate them to finish the process by the end of January. This will enable your teams to launch the new software with enough time to update your systems, training, processes, and procedures, as well as test any new technology with your industry partners.
If you aren’t sure about your solution provider’s readiness, review the Fannie Mae-approved software partners and the Freddie Mac-approved software partners lists. If your provider is listed, make sure you have all the information you need to implement the new technology and begin using the redesigned URLA.
If you don’t see your software provider, contact them to ask when they expect to have their solution verified and ready to roll out. If you discover that they haven’t started testing with the GSEs, it’s time to get the ball rolling. Ideally, your technology will be in place and ready for you to begin implementation during the two-month Open Production Period (OPP), which starts January 1, 2021, to allow for a gradual transition to the March 1, 2021, mandate.
On the Same Page
The sooner you begin collaborating with your technology providers on this transition, the more time you’ll have to address any problems that may surface during implementation. When everyone is on the same page, we can achieve this critical milestone on the road to improving and modernizing the loan application and automated underwriting process.
Need Help? Get GSE Resources and Support.
Find resources for the redesigned URLA on the Fannie Mae URLA webpage and the Freddie Mac URLA/ULAD webpage. If you have further questions, please contact your GSE representative or email ULAD@FannieMae.com or ULAD@FreddieMac.com.
(Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect policy of the Mortgage Bankers Association, nor do they connote an MBA endorsement of a specific company, product or service. MBA NewsLink welcomes your submissions. Inquiries can be sent to Mike Sorohan, editor, at msorohan@mba.org; or Michael Tucker, editorial manager, at mtucker@mba.org.)
