Title 15 › Chapter 41— CONSUMER CREDIT PROTECTION › Subchapter I— CONSUMER CREDIT COST DISCLOSURE › Part B— Credit Transactions › § 1639c
Lenders must only make home mortgage loans after reasonably and honestly checking that the borrower can pay the loan back. They must look at and verify things like credit history, current and expected income, job status, debts, debt-to-income or leftover income, and other money sources (but not the home’s equity). Verification can include W–2s, tax returns, pay stubs, bank records, IRS tax transcripts, or a quick third-party check. If one borrower gets more than one loan on the same home, the lender must check the borrower can pay all those loans together. Lenders must calculate payments as if the loan will be paid off by the end of its term (fully amortized). Some loans are exempt, like reverse mortgages and bridge loans of 12 months or less. Federal agencies may allow a streamlined refinance to skip income checks if the borrower is not 30+ days past due, the new loan doesn’t raise principal except allowed fees, fees are no more than 3% of the new loan, the rate is lower (unless changing adjustable to fixed), the loan fully amortizes, there is no balloon payment, and agency rules are met. Lenders must warn customers before making loans that can grow the balance (negative amortization) and, for first-time non-qualified borrowers, get proof of HUD-certified counseling. A loan that meets “qualified mortgage” rules gives the lender and later owners a safe assumption that the ability-to-repay rules were followed. Qualified mortgages generally cannot increase principal, cannot defer principal, and usually can’t have balloon payments. Income and assets must be verified. Fixed loans must be underwritten on a fully amortizing schedule. Adjustable loans must be underwritten using the maximum rate allowed in the first 5 years. Points and fees must not exceed 3% of the loan. Loan terms generally must be 30 years or less, though regulators can allow exceptions for certain areas or small loans. Small banks and credit unions (those with less than $10,000,000,000 in assets) may get safe-harbor for loans they originate and keep, if they meet special rules. Qualified mortgages may limit prepayment penalties to 3% in year one, 2% in year two, 1% in year three, and none after three years. Lenders may not finance most credit or insurance products into the loan, cannot require arbitration to stop a borrower from suing in court over violations, must tell borrowers about state anti-deficiency protections before closing or before a refinance that would remove them, and must disclose partial-payment policies before settlement. The Bureau will publish the average prime offer rate at least weekly and can set more detailed rules.
Full Legal Text
Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
15 U.S.C. § 1639c
Title 15 — Commerce and Trade
Last Updated
Apr 3, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60