www.hudclips.org 


U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Washington, D.C. 20410-8000

June 11, 1996
 
MORTGAGEE LETTER 96-27
 
TO:  ALL APPROVED MORTGAGEES
 
SUBJECT:  Updates via CLAS
 
Effective May 31, 1996, additional changes may be made through CLAS (CHUMS
Lender Access System), version 8.0B.  The software may be obtained free of
charge through your CLAS provider (Fannie Mae or United Communications).  The
changes involve the following existing request types:
 
               IMF "Premium" Address Change
               IMF Add Branch - Title I
               IMF Add Branch - Title II
               Appraiser Selection Choice Change
               Inspector Assignment Choice Change
 
This new CLAS version allows approved mortgagees to change their Premium
Address by going to the Add Option, IMF Address Change.  (The Premium Address
is the address HUD uses when mailing Advance Billing Notices and Advice of
Mortgage Servicing Action.)  Previous mortgagee address changes were
announced in Mortgagee Letter 96-12.
 
The enhancement to the premium section of CLAS will:
 
     þ    Speed up the address correction process by allowing mortgagees to
          make premium address changes as they occur.
 
     þ    Ensure the Advance Billing Notices are mailed to the proper address.
 
     þ    Ensure the Advice of Mortgage Servicing Actions are mailed to the
          proper address.
 
The Appraiser Selection Choice has been modified per Mortgagee Letter 96-5.
Appraisal Selection Choices 1 (Automatic), 2 (Delayed), and 3 (Mortgagee) were
removed.  Appraiser Assignment Choice 4 (Manual) will still be used for 203(k)
Property Disposition (PD) Contract cases.  Appraiser Assignment 5 (Lender
Select) may be used by any lender.  In order for Appraiser Assignment Choice 5
to be used, the selected appraiser must have CHUMS licensed authorization.
 
The Inspector Selection Assignment Choice has been modified per Mortgagee
Letter 96-18.  Inspector Assignment Choice 3 (Mortgagee) will still be
available and Inspector Assignment Choice 5 (Lender Select) was added
requiring lenders to assign the inspector to any case.  In order for
Inspector Assignment Choice 5 to
Inspector Assignment Choice 5 to be used, the selected inspector must have a
 
CHUMS Fee Inspector authorization.  Other IMF changes in this version of CLAS
include:
 
     þ    Collection of a FAX number and an E-Mail (Internet) address on the
          Add A Branch screen.
 
     þ    An option for a lender to change their telephone number, FAX number
          and E-Mail (Internet) address on the Address Change Request screen.
 
     þ    Supervised and Nonsupervised type mortgagees, who utilize CLAS for
          adding a new branch office, will be required to provide the Branch
          Manager's Social Security Number.  (This was required when
          completing the 92001B form.)  The number will be matched to the
          Credit Alert Interactive Voice Response System (CAIVRS) for
          verification that the individual has no outstanding debts through
          FHA, the Veterans Administration, Small Business Administration or
          Department of Education.  If there is a match with CAIVRS, however,
          the CLAS system will return an error message the following day,
          advising the lender that the branch office registration was
          unacceptable.  This procedure has been, and will continue to be,
          followed on all branch applications submitted to the Department on
          form 92001B.  Loan Correspondent type lenders are not permitted to
          add branches through CLAS due to the increased adjusted net worth
          requirement.
 
     Questions regarding the Premium Address announcement in this Mortgagee
Letter may be directed to HUD through the Internet at:  sfpremiums@hud.gov
 
     Questions regarding the Appraiser or Inspector Selection Choices may be
directed to the Single Family Development Division at (202) 708-2121.
 
All other questions regarding lender approval issues may be directed to the
Lender Approval and Recertification Division at (202) 708-3976.
 
Sincerely yours,
 

Nicolas P. Retsinas
Assistant Secretary for Housing-
Federal Housing Commissioner