New data requirements for loans originated by sponsored originators for securities backed by the Federal Housing Administration take effect today. If a lender plans to use a sponsored originator, they must be registered in the FHA database and included on all loan application documents. A sponsored originator is a third party underwriter, outsourced by a lender to specifically take care of the origination process. Sponsored originators are not FHA-approved individuals, but instead work with lenders who are approved by the FHA. Although they originate FHA-backed loans, they are not granted access to any FHA non-public systems, including the FHA Connection for example. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development outlined the new regulations in a letter to lenders earlier this month. HUD also held a webcast to show lenders where the new required data fields are and to demonstrate how to use them. A lender can register a sponsored originator they plan to use by submitting the originator’s legal name, Employer Identification Number and Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System. They also have the choice to use an already registered originator from a list on the website. Either way, sponsored originators’ Employer Identification Number is required several places on the application (see example below): HUD made changes to the Addendum to Uniform Residential Loan Application (form 92900-A) to include space for necessary information regarding sponsored originators. Lenders must now include the originator’s origination company name, loan origination company’s tax identification number as well as the NMLS identification number of the origination company. As of Monday, mortgagees are able to view sponsored originator performance information at the FHA Neighborhood Watch site. As an early warnings system, lenders can track past cases by any sponsored originators and be able to detect fraud at an early stage. Write to Christine Ricciardi.