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  2. Single Family Housing Lender Electronic Assessment Portal (LEAP) Information

Lender Electronic Assessment Portal (LEAP) Information

The Lender Electronic Assessment Portal (LEAP) is a the singular interface for all FHA Lender Approval and Recertification activities.

All FHA-approved lenders must access LEAP via FHA Connection to:

  • Complete the annual recertification process

  • Manage institution and branch information

  • Perform lender profile functions (e.g., cash flow account set-up)

  • Submit notifications and requests to the Office of Lender Activities and Program Compliance
    (e.g., corporate officer updates, business changes, notices of material events)

Please reference the documents below for additional information about LEAP.

Annual Recertification Resources

Annual Recertification

To maintain FHA approval, each lender must complete an annual recertification package within 90 days of its fiscal year end. The LEAP User Manual is available for step-by-step instructions on how to submit the recertification package and other lender functions. For additional information on LEAP, please visit out LEAP Information web page.

The following items must be completed as part of the lender's recertification package:

  • Lender Data Verification
  • Annual Certification (Government lenders are only required to submit the annual certification)
  • Recertification fee (Not required for Government lenders)
  • Financial data (Not required for Government lenders)

Steps to Recertify:

  1. Complete the lender data verification;
  2. Complete the annual certification;
  3. Remit the annual recertification fee in LEAP;
  4. Submit financial statements in LEAP, along with the Audit Related Questions if applicable, and
  5. Return to LEAP on subsequent days to confirm the fee has been settled and the financial statements have been accepted.

A lender that does not wish to maintain its FHA approval must submit a Change Request for voluntary withdrawal of FHA approval via LEAP, as detailed in the FHA Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1 Section I.A.9 Voluntary Withdrawal.

Note: Voluntary Withdrawal requests will not be honored while there are any unpaid indemnification debts and mortgage insurance premiums, a pending administrative action, or a Mortgagee Review Board (MRB) action against the lender. The MRB may not honor a voluntary withdrawal request once a Notice of Violation has been issued. Failure to comply with annual recertification requirements does not constitute a voluntary withdrawal.

Additional Resources

What's New

  • Updating FHA's Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Requirements for FHA Eligibility (ML 24-09)

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).