When Your Mortgage Lender Wants to be Pen Pals

When an insurance company’s underwriting department has questions about a borrower’s background, it’s becoming common to ask the borrower to write a letter of explanation to their lender, dubbed a “comfort letter.” The lender may request a letter to gain clarity on the borrower’s circumstances that were not explained in their credit or employment documentation.

The Wall Street Journal offers up some scenarios, such as a borrower who wants to buy a new home far away from their current place of employment. The lender may ask the borrower to explain, like if they intending to telecommute or has a new job. The bank may also request one if the borrower makes an unusual large deposit. They may ask for a letter to document where the funds came from. A lender may also ask for an explanation if there was a gap within employment.

Read more HERE.