Continuing Education (CE) Approved Topic List

Lists acceptable topics for annual CE requirement for the Ethics and Nontraditional SAFE Act requirements. Topics are not specific to a CE year.

Ethics –

Topics intended to Satisfy the 2 Hours of Ethics, Fraud, and Consumer Protection.

  • Mortgage Exam Process – What happens when an examiner visits your company
    • Prep – Know how long to keep records, keep records organized, know who pulls reports
    • A Point of Contact is required to be available to respond to examiner inquiries
    • Pre-exam materials / requests from the examiner
    • Common Violations – Mortgage Call Report, Advertising, Late Disclosures, Lacking written policies
    • Rating System
  • Cybersecurity
  • Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Residential Mortgage Lending
    • Lack of Transparency: “Black box” algorithms may make it difficult for lenders to explain decisions to regulators or consumers
    • Job Displacement: Automation of underwriting and processing may reduce demand for certain roles in mortgage origination and servicing
    • Traditional credit scores can be supplemented or even replaced with AI-driven models
    • AI tools can extract data from documents (W2s, Paystubs, Bank Statements, etc.)
    • Lenders can use AI to track borrower behavior post-closing, identifying early signs of default risk.
  • Identity Theft Rules 16 CFR 681
    • Identity theft program
      • Elements of the program to detect and prevent identity theft
    • Detecting and identifying relevant Red Flags
    • Actions taken when identity theft occurs
      • Situations of identity theft detected
  • Do Not Call – Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act 15 USC 6101 et seq
    • Defining and prohibiting deceptive telemarketing acts
    • Senior citizen and other consumer fraud
    • Scenarios of abusive consumer acts
  • Mortgage Acts and Practices – Advertising (Regulation N) 12 CFR 1014
    • Detection of prohibited advertising
    • Other prohibited mortgage acts and practices
  • Other topics pertaining to ethics, fraud, and consumer protection.
    • Enforcement actions
    • Marketing agreements
    • Graham, Leach, Bliley Act
    • Industry changes (e.g., credit scoring, modern predatory lending, and lending tactics)
    • Anti-money Laundering

Traditional and Non-Traditional Mortgage Products –

Topics Intended to Satisfy the 2 hours of Non-Traditional Mortgage Lending

  • Any product that can be used to finance a residential property
  • Property Valuation
    • Factors Influencing Property Value (Location, Characteristics, Market Conditions, Zoning, etc.)
    • Modern Trends in Valuation (Digital Appraisals, Remote Inspections/ hybrid or drive-by appraisals)
    • Valuation Methods (Sales Comparison Approach, Cost, Income Approach, Income Approach, and Automated Valuation models – AI Powered Algorithms)
    • Who Performs Valuations (Licensed Appraisers or AVM Providers)
  • FNMA/ FHLMC Updates
  • Digital Currency Related to Residential Mortgages
    • Benefits, Challenges and Risks
      • Using Bitcoin or a CBDC to make payments
      • Down payments on home purchase o Asset Verification
  • How Down Payment Assistance effects debt-to-income ratio and application
  • FHA Mortgage Limits and Updates
  • CSBS/AARMR Guidance on Nontraditional Mortgage Products Risks
  • Other topics pertaining to Non-Traditional Mortgage Products
    • ARM’s
    • Negative amortization loans
    • 15 Year Loans
    • Reverse Mortgages
    • VA Loans
    • Rehab Loans
    • Collateral/Portfolio Loans
    • Seller Financing
    • Affordable Housing Programs
    • Non-QM Loans