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Lender Insurance Program

Lender Insurance (LI) authority is only granted to high-performing Mortgagees, as outlined at 24 CFR 203.4 LI Mortgagees must also comply with HUD requirements in the Single Family Housing Policy Handbook (Handbook 4000.1) Section I.A.5.b, Title II Single Family Lender Insurance Authority.

Obtaining LI Authority

Mortgagees seeking LI authority must apply through FHA Connection (FHAC). To be eligible for LI authority, the Mortgagee must have Unconditional Direct Endorsement (DE) authority and an LI Compare Ratio that is at or below 150 percent.

The LI Compare Ratio is the percentage of Mortgages underwritten by the Mortgagee that are in claim or default status compared with the percentage of Mortgages in claim or default status for all Mortgagees operating in the same state(s) over the preceding two-year period.

If the Mortgagee does not have sufficient data to meet the LI Compare Ratio requirement because it was recently created by a merger, acquisition, or reorganization, then the Mortgagee, must submit a Change Request through the Lender Electronic Assessment Portal (LEAP) to apply for LI authority. Any entity involved in the merger, acquisition, or reorganization must meet the eligibility requirements outlined above and the surviving Mortgagee must submit the required documents outlined in Handbook 4000.1.

Maintaining LI Authority

FHA monitors LI Mortgagees on a quarterly basis using the Neighborhood Watch Early Warning System. In accordance with 24 CFR 203.4(b), LI authority may be terminated when a Mortgagee's LI Compare Ratio is greater than 150 percent. Termination of LI authority can occur for other reasons, such as:

  • Homeownership Center recommendations for termination;
  • Loss of Unconditional DE authority; or
  • Termination by HUD's Mortgagee Review Board (MRB).

LI Mortgagees are strongly encouraged to submit electronic case binders. The Electronic Case Binder Developer's Guide provides information regarding software development and ongoing submission of electronic case binders.

Mortgagees with additional questions may contact the FHA Resource Center at answers@hud.gov or 1-800-CALLFHA (1-800-225-5342).