Mortgage Certification

Objectives of the CSME Certification Program

• To recognize the advanced skill level required for the examination and investigation of large, complex, and multistate mortgage providers and their compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• To promote continuing education in the mortgage supervision field.
• To emphasize the need for professionalism, leadership, and the continued advancement of mortgage examination professionals given the specialized skills and knowledge required to adequately supervise the mortgage sector.
• To enhance and maintain the quality of job performance and competency of Senior Mortgage Examiners.

Candidates for the CSME designation must provide evidence of the following:

• Meets requirements for the CME.
• Completion of three years of on-the-job experience related to the examination and/or investigation of large and/or complex mortgage companies.
• Experience serving as Examiner-in-Charge (EIC) on at least 20 full-scope examinations, including complex or problem entities, within the last 3 years.
• It is recommended but not required that the examiner has participated as the multistate EIC for at least two examinations of a mortgage One Company One Exam.
• It is recommended but not required that the examiner has participated as the SPOC of a mortgage One Company One Exam at least twice.
• Enhances the skills of others by creating content for and presenting on a mortgage related topic either internally at the agency or externally including conducting training, serving as a CSBS instructor, or participating on a panel as a speaker OR participating in committee related to mortgage examination OR presenting a training recap to agency examiners, at least twice.
• Satisfactory completion of the following:
  • Advanced formal mortgage classroom training totaling a minimum of 56 hours.
  • At least 15 hours of leadership, technical writing, conducting meetings, presentation, and/or other advanced soft-skills training.
    • Examples of soft skills include communication, leadership, organization, time management, conflict resolution, negotiations, meetings with management, critical thinking, etc.

Applicants must ensure that they meet all certification requirements and will then complete an attestation of successful job performance and mastery of job-related skills, providing a thorough written response for each competency category. Their supervisor will then review and affirm the attestation to ensure accuracy and completeness. The core competencies are an integral part of the certification, and a high degree of reliance is placed on the attestation for determining compliance with these skill areas. The supervisor reviewing the application form should be familiar with the applicant’s experience, performance, and skills/abilities and be confident that the applicant meets all the requirements outlined in the form.

TECHNICAL - Provides effective leadership and organization to the examination process:

• Serves as EIC of complex examinations and those identified as 'problem' entities.
• Demonstrates mastery of examination procedures and policies.
• Provides effective mentoring, training, and performance feedback to entry-level examiners, including on-the-job and individualized training as applicable.
• Monitors progress of assigned personnel to ensure accurate and timely completion of work.
• Organizes, delegates, and monitors examination team assignments to ensure timely and accurate completion of work.
• Effectively organizes and documents workpapers according to prescribed procedures.
• Effectively oversees the entire examination process, including at the national level.
• Reviews, approves, and finalizes examination work products including the Report of Examination.
• Mastery of conducting examinations in SES if applicable at the agency.

CONCEPTUAL - Provides effective and accurate evaluation of the operational and financial activities of larger, complex interstate mortgage providers:

• Effectively follows established examination procedures to collect and analyze data.
• Interprets and applies regulatory guidance, laws, and regulations drawn from multiple, complex sources, requiring in-depth research and cross-referencing to accurately summarize findings and support examination conclusions.
• Develops well-supported findings and conclusions based on analysis of complex financial and operational data.
• Effectively reviews reports of examination for accuracy, content, conclusions, and proper grammar.
• Effectively evaluates and adjusts the scope of examination as each situation requires.
• Understands and applies established and emerging regulatory procedures for evaluating compliance and risk.
• Recommends ratings, corrective actions, and potential enforcement actions.

LEGAL/COMPLIANCE – Effectively demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations:

• Effectively demonstrates in-depth knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations including but not limited to:
  • Anti-Money Laundering
  • Equal Credit Opportunity Act
  • Fair Credit Reporting Act
  • Identity Theft Prevention
  • Mortgage Acts and Practices-Advertising
  • Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act
  • S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act
  • Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information
  • Truth in Lending Act
  • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
  • Homeowners Protection Act
  • Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
  • Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
  • State-specific mortgage laws
• Effectively follows established examination procedures for presenting violations and recommending corrective action or enforcement powers.
• Advises on or assists with civil or administrative proceedings, including appearances as an expert witness or participant in compliance conferences.

COMMUNICATIONS - Communicates effectively with internal and external stakeholders:

• Demonstrates an accomplished level of communication skills with internal and external parties in the mortgage examination process.
• Effectively prepares, with little guidance, written reports of examination which are accurate, grammatically correct, logically arranged, and factually support any conclusions drawn.
• Effectively coordinates examination planning and execution with other state regulators or authorities as appropriate.
• Clearly communicates assignments, expectations, and findings to team members and licensees.
• Prepares high-quality written work including narratives, Report of Examination (ROE), and enforcement summaries.
• Participates in meetings with management or boards of mortgage companies.
• Provides guidance during the implementation and monitoring of corrective action plans.

RECERTIFICATION

Every three years, participants will be required to provide evidence of the successful completion of a minimum of 63 continuing education hours (CEH). If an examiner exceeds this requirement, up to 14 CEHs may be carried over into the new three-year term. Continuing education should be selected with the goal of maintaining, improving, or expanding the examiner’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Participants are also required to review and remain in compliance with updates to certifications. Should a material change related to the certification occur, additional training may be required to maintain certification.

Courses and applicable offerings from the following providers would qualify as continuing education:

• CSBS
• AARMR
• FFIEC
• CFPB
• FDIC
• FTC