EstatePass
Ethics & Fraudmedium18% of exam

When evaluating ability to repay for a covered mortgage, which information should be considered and verified as applicable?

Correct Answer

D) Income or assets, employment status, payment, debts, obligations, and credit history

Why this is correct: The Ability-to-Repay (ATR) rule under Regulation Z requires a creditor to make a reasonable, good-faith determination of a consumer's ability to repay a covered mortgage. This must be based on verified and documented information, specifically including the listed factors: income or assets, employment status (if relied upon), the monthly mortgage payment, simultaneous loans, current debt obligations, monthly debt-to-income ratio or residual income, and credit history. Why the other choices are wrong: "Only the property's appraised value" is wrong because collateral value alone does not demonstrate repayment ability. "Only the applicant's credit score" is wrong because credit history is just one of several required factors. "Only the initial monthly payment" is wrong because the payment amount is considered, but it must be evaluated alongside income, debts, and other obligations. Exam tip: For ATR, remember the "eight factors"—income/assets, employment, payment, simultaneous loans, mortgage obligations, other debts, DTI/residual income, and credit history.

Answer Options
A
Only the property's appraised value
B
Only the applicant's credit score
C
Only the initial monthly payment
D
Income or assets, employment status, payment, debts, obligations, and credit history

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Why this is correct: The Ability-to-Repay (ATR) rule under Regulation Z requires a creditor to make a reasonable, good-faith determination of a consumer's ability to repay a covered mortgage. This must be based on verified and documented information, specifically including the listed factors: income or assets, employment status (if relied upon), the monthly mortgage payment, simultaneous loans, current debt obligations, monthly debt-to-income ratio or residual income, and credit history. Why the other choices are wrong: "Only the property's appraised value" is wrong because collateral value alone does not demonstrate repayment ability. "Only the applicant's credit score" is wrong because credit history is just one of several required factors. "Only the initial monthly payment" is wrong because the payment amount is considered, but it must be evaluated alongside income, debts, and other obligations. Exam tip: For ATR, remember the "eight factors"—income/assets, employment, payment, simultaneous loans, mortgage obligations, other debts, DTI/residual income, and credit history.

Was this explanation helpful?

More Ethics & Fraud Questions

In a closing-readiness check, a disclosure specialist sees facts tied to Appraisal Fraud Detection. What should the file reflect?

An MLO recommends a loan with a low initial payment that will increase sharply in two years. The borrower says retirement income will be fixed and asks whether the payment can change. What is the appropriate response?

An MLO alters a bank statement to make the applicant's account balance appear higher and submits it to underwriting. Which response is appropriate?

A branch manager asks about a loan file because marketing proposes a rate the company is not prepared to offer. What should happen?

A borrower wants cash for necessary home repairs. A proposed refinance provides $15,000 cash but adds $12,000 in costs and extends repayment by 15 years. What is the best next step for the MLO?

Before closing, the team discovers that an ad shows an interest rate but omits the APR presentation. What is the safest compliant answer?

The loan team is resolving Privacy and Confidentiality during a quality-control sample. Which action best fits the rule?

A house last sold for $185,000 in January. In March it changes hands 3 times in 9 days, reaching $410,000, with the same appraiser and the same closing agent on every leg. Assuming the parties colluded to inflate appraisals without improvements to support the higher prices, what fraud scheme does this pattern illustrate?

For closings involving federally related mortgage loans, a title company pays a real estate brokerage $75 for each referred client who closes. The brokerage only passes along the client’s name and number. Does this referral payment comply with RESPA Section 8?

Before closing, the team discovers that a loan officer wants different terms because of a protected applicant characteristic. What is the safest compliant answer?

People Also Study

Related Study Resources

Practice More MLO Questions

Access all practice questions with progress tracking and adaptive difficulty to pass your SAFE MLO exam.

Start Practicing