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Part 3: Answers to the TRID quiz!


Two weeks ago we proposed a quiz to use related to the 560-page July TRID Rule update. Last week we provided the (our) answers to the first half of the quiz. This week includes the final half.

Last week we completed the first half of the questions. This week we "bring it home" with the final questions to the TRID quiz. If you recall, the TRID quiz was a test to see how well someone knew the 2017 TRID Rule.

 

TRID Quiz: July 2017 Updates

Remember the instructions:

Using the heading/topic below only, explain in a sentence or two the applicable part of the July 2017 Rule (which you can read here - and if 560 pages is too much for you, the 12-page executive summary should be perfect for you.) *I had completed one of these the first week as an example.

10. Lenders' and settlement agents' respective responsibilities.

In the past, people have complained about failure of the TRID rule to clearly state who was responsible for delivering the Seller's CD. In proposals to the CFPB, trade groups argued that lenders were trying to shift "liability for [Closing Disclosure] accuracy" to the settlement agent.

The 2017 TRID Rule doesn't answer this head-on, but does clarify as follows:

  • Lenders are responsible for "ensure compliance" with TRID rules, "even where a settlement agent provides the [Closing] Disclosure."

  • Settlement agents have to comply with TRID requirements to the extent they provide Closing Disclosures

  • The decision of whether the seller receives a separate CD (prepared by settlement agent) or a combined version (prepared by lender) is the lender's decision - the settlement agent must defer to the lender.

11. Settlement Service Provider List

An interesting excerpt here - "The creditor must provide sufficient information to allow the consumer to contact providers for the settlement services it requires but for which it permits a consumer to shop. The identified providers must correspond to the settlement services for which the consumer may shop."

I think that will force a change in how many lenders are disclosing the SSPL now, especially lenders with a long list of settlement agents with a long list of different fees.

12. Non-obligor consumers

You know the question we've always had here - in a refinance transaction do we disclose non-borrower title-holder as "borrower" (possibly confusing them into thinking they're responsible for the mortgage) or do we not list them on the disclosure but make sure they sign a document that doesn't appear addressed for them (also confusing).

Well the CFPB settled that dispute here - and now we are not going to disclose non-borrower title holders on the CD as "borrowers." We will only disclose persons "to whom the credit is offered." The Rule also clarifies that, while a non-borrower will not be disclosed as "borrower", if they are required to receive the disclosure for rescission purposes, their name can be added to the signature line on page 5.

Perfect! Now that's settled ..

13. The "Black Hole" Issue*

Trick question - the Rule does not address this issue. Instead, a separate rule was issued on the same day that merely proposes a new fix for this. That means we're back at square one.

14. Simultaneous second lien loans

There are a number of items on this topic covered in the Rule. Some examples include:

  • Allowed to leave seller information blank

  • Seller needs to receive only the 1st lien CD

  • 2nd Lien CD still has a disclosed "Purpose" of "Purchase" (even if seller info is omitted)

15. The summaries of transactions table

In the original proposal, the CFPB explained that it had considered requiring the disclosure of construction costs and payoffs (of liens and unsecured loans) in the Summaries of Transaction section of the CD rather than in Section H as "closing costs." The CFPB explained it decided against this because it would have made it impossible to compare the LE to the CD as the LE doesn't have a Summaries of Transaction section.

Well, surprise surprise - upon reconsideration, the CFPB reversed course and the final Rule now requires exactly that. So forget about Section H!

The Executive Summary explains this well:

"The Total Interest Percentage includes prepaid interest that the consumer will pay, but does not include prepaid interest that someone other than the consumer will pay. Also, clarifies that prepaid interest that is disclosed as a negative number must be included as a negative value when calculating the Total Interest Percentage."

17. Trusts

The Rule tries to clarify who needs to receive the disclosures when a trust is involved. Long story short, the Rule requires CD delivery ....

  • In rescindable transactions, to both the trustee and every beneficiary (if I'm reading the Rule correctly, which I think I am)

  • In all other transactions, to the Trustee on behalf of the Trust in all other transactions

The theory here is that the Trustee and Trust are the same person for TILA purposes, but that both the Trustee/Trust and beneficiaries are all "consumers" who, in rescindable cases, need to receive the disclosures separately.

18. Lender and seller credits

Lender Credits-- Both specific and general lender credits still need to be disclosed together on the LE and broken out on the CD. Also the same as before - we disclose the true cost of any particular fee with an offsetting lender credit where applicable.

Seller Credits -- Seller credits can be disclosed as a lump sum or as reducing specific fees. It's the lender's choice.

19. The "In 5 Years" calculation

This is related to seller credits. Basically, where the Total of Payments calculated includes an offset for amounts paid by the seller (i.e., not paid by the consumer), the In 5 Years calculation does not include this offset. The rationale is that it's too difficult for the lender to know that much detail about the transaction that early in the process.

Thanks for taking the quiz!

 

In Other News

  • Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans catching some heat for his advertisement "see Detroit like we do" ...

  • Boy with articles like this, comparing the current state of auto-lending to leadup to the mortgage crisis, you wonder if it's just politics or there's actually some truth to it

  • Have to love this Canadian retiree who, frustrated waiting for Toronto to build stairs to a popular local park, opted to take matters into his own hands and built the stairs himself. Of course the city is annoyed, but I think that might have something to do with the fact that it cost him only $550 to build when the city's estimate had been $65,000 to $150,000!! Asked about the city's proposed budget, the retiree exclaimed, "I thought they were talking about an escalator."

 

On My Mind ...

What are your company's core values? According to Patrick Lencioni and his company The Table Group, they are values that you will follow to a fault. Your company will suffer (at least short-term) to stay true to your core values. And here's an interesting anecdote to support this - as retold in this Christian- Faith-at-Work article.

Southwest Airlines has humor as one of its core values. How do you know its a true core value? Well, as the story goes, the CEO received a nasty letter from an angry customer. The customer complained about airline employees goofing around during safety demonstrations. Apparently explaining to passengers that, "In the event of the need for a water landing, your flight attendant will come by with drinks and towels." was not as funny to some passengers as it was to the Southwest employee. The CEO responded to the enraged passenger's letter. But the response was very brief: "We'll miss you."

 

"We'll miss you."

- Herb Kelleher

 

Thanks so much for reading our weekly newsletters. We're not always going to be perfect, but because we always do our best and try not to overpromise, we hope that we're always going to be trustworthy. Your calls and e-mails are very helpful - please keep contributing.

**These are our opinions. We're not authorized, or willing, to express those of others.**

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