Saying it is too difficult to calculate individual pay early in the origination process, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) now says loan officer compensation should not be included in the three percent cap threshold under the qualified mortgage rule. However, as nationalmortgagenews informs MHProNews, compensation paid by the creditor to a mortgage broker should be included, and so should fees paid by the consumer to the creditor. “This cap ensures that lenders offering qualified mortgages do not charge excessive points and fees,” says the CFPB. Mortgage Banker Association (MBA) president and chief executive David Stevens, says, “We welcome the stipulation that compensation paid by brokers and lenders to loan originator employees do not count toward the points and fees threshold for what constitutes a qualified mortgage. Both of these provisions should facilitate a more efficient and affordable marketplace for borrowers.” He adds the CFPB is trying to balance consumer protection with access to affordable credit.
