Under TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) Rule, fees paid to affiliates of the lender (e.g., title companies, appraisers) must remain the same on the Loan Estimate (LE) unless there is a valid changed circumstance (such as a significant change in the loan terms or property value). These fees fall under the zero-tolerance category, meaning they cannot increase from the amount disclosed on the LE unless a change in circumstance justifies the increase.
* Other costs like per diem interest (A), homeowner's insurance (B), and owner's title insurance premiums (C) can change, as they are not subject to the same zero-tolerance rules.
References:
* TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule (TRID), 12 CFR §1026.19
* CFPB TRID Guidelines on fee tolerance

A second (subordinate) mortgage loan refers to a mortgage taken out after the primary mortgage and is subordinate to the first in priority of claims on the property in case of default or foreclosure. One of the most common types of subordinate mortgages is a home equity line of credit (HELOC).
* HELOC allows homeowners to borrow against the equity in their home, typically after the first mortgage, making it a subordinate loan.
Other options:
* Government home purchase loans (A) and conventional home purchase loans (B) are typically first mortgages.
* A home equity conversion mortgage (C) is a type of reverse mortgage, which is also typically a primary loan, not a subordinate one.
References:
* Fannie Mae Selling Guide on subordinate financing
* HELOC regulations under Regulation Z

It is acceptable for a lender to request a co-applicant if the borrower will not qualify for the loan on their own based on their income, credit score, or other financial factors. A co-applicant, such as a spouse or family member, can help strengthen the application by adding additional income or improving the credit profile, which may help the borrower meet the lender's qualification requirements.
* Other situations (B, C, D) such as future income, residency, or gifting funds do not necessarily require a co-applicant and are not acceptable reasons to mandate one.
References:
* Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), 12 CFR Part 1002
* Fannie Mae Selling Guide on co-borrowers

If an MLO suspects fraud, they have an obligation to report it to the company's compliance officer or appropriate supervisor for investigation. Ignoring, failing to report, or handling it informally is not acceptable.
"If an MLO suspects fraud, the MLO must report it to their company's compliance officer or other responsible person as required by company policy and law."
- SAFE MLO National Test Study Guide; FFIEC, Guidance on Mortgage Fraud Detection References:
SAFE MLO National Test Study Guide
FFIEC, Mortgage Fraud Resources