Uniform Loan Delivery Dataset (ULDD) FAQs

October 23, 2012

This document provides answers to questions frequently asked about the Fannie Mae and Freddie
Mac Uniform Loan Delivery Dataset (ULDD). For additional information, please visit the Loan
Delivery Data Requirements web page.

Table of Contents
Uniform Loan Delivery Dataset (ULDD) ................................................................................................1
Leveraging Documentation & Resources..............................................................................................3
Miscellaneous MISMO and Data Point Questions ................................................................................4

Uniform Loan Delivery Dataset (ULDD)

Q1.

Why are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac using the MISMO Version 3.0 format to develop the
ULDD?
The MISMO XML format provides greater flexibility than the existing formats that either GSE
has in place today (Fannie Maes 2000-Character Loan Delivery File Format and Freddie Macs
Form 11, Mortgage Submission Schedule, and Form 13SF, Mortgage Submission Voucher).
Using MISMO as the basis for the ULDD allows for easier collection of new data in the future,
and supports current technology that is widely used in the mortgage industry. Use of MISMO
Version 3.0 will also allow a greater level of specificity in the data that lenders provide to Fannie
Mae or Freddie Mac, and that can be easily used by lenders for other purposes throughout the
loan life cycle.
An additional future benefit to lenders will be a reduced dependency on special codes. The new
dataset will capture the root data underlying these codes, offering lenders greater efficiencies
because many already use the root data in their systems.

Q2.

Are the GSEs going to require all the data points defined in the MISMO Version 3.0 logical data
dictionary for loan delivery?
No. The ULDD, included in each GSEs Appendix A, XML Data Requirements, identifies a
subset of data points defined in the MISMO logical data dictionary that will be required for loan
delivery.

Q3.

Will all the data points in the ULDD be required by both GSEs?
No. In Phase I the GSEs are implementing approximately half of the over 600 data points in the
full ULDD. This subset of data points will be required at loan delivery based on various loan

2012 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae.

MISMO is a registered trademark of the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization.
SM

10.23.2012

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This communication relates to the Uniform Mortgage Data Program , an effort undertaken jointly by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
at the direction of their regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency

types, certain business conditions, or GSE-specific requirements. The remaining ULDD data
points will be implemented over time and once the full ULDD is implemented, no single loan will
require all data points in the ULDD.
Q4.

What do the designations Required, Conditionally Required, Conditionally Independent,

and Optional mean?
Within the ULDD, the data points are divided into four categories:

Required: Data points that are required for all loan delivery transactions, regardless of the
GSE.

Conditionally Required: Data points that are required for all loan delivery transactions when
a defined business condition exists (e.g., ARMs). These conditions are consistent for each of
the GSEs loan delivery applications.

Conditionally Independent: GSE-specific data points that are required for all loan delivery
transactions when a defined business condition exists. These conditions are not consistent for
both GSEs delivery applications.

Optional: These data points are for future use and will not be required for loan delivery
effective July 23, 2012. The GSEs will provide additional details as soon as possible on the
data points that will be required in subsequent phases.
Q5.

Is the Uniform Appraisal Dataset part of the ULDD?

No. The Uniform Appraisal Dataset is not part of the ULDD. However, some appraisal data is
included in the ULDD. The Uniform Appraisal Dataset and the Uniform Collateral Data Portal
announced as part of the Uniform Mortgage Data Program (UMDP) are separate projects with
separate implementation plans.

Q6.

How often will the GSEs update the ULDD?

We anticipate updating the ULDD as market and business needs dictate certainly on a more
frequent basis than updates made to either GSEs existing loan delivery file format in the past.
In the future, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be able to leverage the enhanced format
flexibility to move expeditiously when a business need requires the collection of additional data.
The MISMO XML format will be more flexible than the current formats, so it is expected that the
amount of work for lenders and vendors to implement updates will be reduced. Fannie Mae and
Freddie Mac have implemented a governance structure and process to ensure that changes to
the ULDD are completed in an orderly and stable manner with timelines that facilitate smooth
transitions.

Q7.

What is XML?
XML stands for extensible Markup Language. It is a flexible and widely used standard to
transport and store data that simplifies the way businesses exchange electronic data.

Q8.

Will the same loan delivery file work for delivery submission to both GSEs?
Although the basic loan delivery XML file format will be supported by each GSE, there will be
differences in the data conditionality and/or the supported valid values for certain data points
based on each GSEs policies and delivery eligibility requirements. These differences are
detailed in the GSE-specific Implementation Guides for Loan Delivery Data. Additionally, it is

2012 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae.

MISMO is a registered trademark of the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization.

10.23.2012 Page 2 of 4

important to note that when delivering loans to either GSE, lenders must continue to meet the
terms and conditions of their contracts.
Q9.

What are the data point requirements as of July 23, 2012 for the ULDD Mandate?
For lenders who will be importing the loan delivery XML file, we recommend reviewing the
Appendix D: Fannie Mae XML Data Reference to determine what data points must be captured.
For lenders who will be entering their data manually in the new Loan Delivery application, we
recommend the Quick Start to the Loan Delivery Fields for ULDD Phase I. This provides a
sequential listing of the fields as they will be displayed in Loan Delivery, as well as additional
columns to assist you in your analysis.
The total number of fields that will need to be delivered will vary for each loan scenario.

Q10.

Will we still be able to manually update information in Fannie Maes Loan Delivery application
once data has been imported?
Yes, this process will remain the same. You will still have the ability to go back and edit your
data in Loan Delivery once a loan has been imported.
| NOTE: The old Loan Delivery application will not feature loan data that was delivered in the
new application, and vise versa. Lenders will be able to make any necessary MBS corrections
and revised wiring instructions for a limited time for pools delivered in the old Loan Delivery
application on or prior to July 20, 2012. The old Loan Delivery application will continue to be
available to retrieve archived data for 18 months. As of July 23, 2012, lenders must use the new
Loan Delivery application for all deliveries to Fannie Mae.

Q11.

Does Fannie Mae intend to eliminate special feature codes (SFCs)? If so, is there a list?
No. Although it is our intention to eventually reduce the number of special feature codes
(SFCs), Fannie Mae does not have plans to eliminate any codes at this time.

Q12.

Will the loan delivery XML file be required for Reverse mortgage loans?
No. The eBoutique application and applicable Reverse mortgage loans are not in scope for the
loan delivery XML file.

Leveraging Documentation & Resources

Q13.

How can I compare the differences between the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac file and data
requirements?
Appendix D: Fannie Mae XML Data Requirements Reference is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
version consistent with the data mapping depicted in the Fannie Mae Implementation Guide:
Appendix A. The spreadsheet was jointly developed with Freddie Mac and can be easily
merged with the corresponding Freddie Mac XML Data Requirements Reference Tool, allowing
you to compare the differences.

Q14.

Why are there both Required and Optional data points within some of the documentation?
The Optional (O) data points included in the New ULDDS Conditionality column in Appendix D
are intended for future use. Specifically, they are data points potentially necessary for future

2012 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae.

MISMO is a registered trademark of the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization.

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projects. Required (R), Conditionally Required (CR) and Conditionally Independent (CI), if
applicable, data points are those that must be included in the loan delivery XML file on all loan
delivery imports.
Q15.

If there are data points noted for future use or not used, do I need to include those in my
development project now, or can I wait?
The Optional data points will not be required for loan deliveries on July 23, 2012; however,
Fannie Mae will continue to evaluate the use of Optional data elements for subsequent
implementation phases.

Q16.

Do I need to support the exact ULDD format lengths? For example, my system does not capture
100 characters for address.
No. Customers do not need to support the exact format length in their systems. In the example
of address length, the loan delivery XML file will allow a maximum of 100 characters. Provided
the address does not exceed 100 characters, your loan delivery XML file will be in compliance
with the ULDD format length for this field. For specific fields, each GSE may specify what
reasonable business values may look like. For example, a DU CasefileID may be only nine to
10 digits long, which fits within the maximum length.

Miscellaneous MISMO and Data Point Questions

Q17.

What does the term Loan State mean?

The Loan State indicates a point in time for which all data elements within a loan container
apply. An At Current Loan State is a snapshot of specific loan data on the date the data was
retrieved from the lenders delivery system. At Closing is a snapshot of specific loan data at
the completion of the closing process. The At Modification Loan State is a new concept being
introduced with ULDD; it displays the loan data at the time a modification becomes effective. For
more detailed information on Loan States, refer to the MISMO V3.0 and the Uniform Loan
Delivery Data Specification: User Guide, available on the Loan Delivery Data Requirements
page.

Q18.

How do I gain access to MISMO?

To gain access to MISMO, register on the MISMO Web site at www.mismo.org where you can
obtain information about the various Reference Models. The ULDD implementation is using
the MISMO v3.0 Reference Model (version 2010-05). Please note that other versions of the
reference model are not currently compatible with the ULDD.

Q19.

What is the difference between the various versions of the MISMO Reference Model?
There are several Fannie Mae applications that use different versions of MISMO.
DU uses an extended version of the MISMO AUS Version 2.3.1. The Uniform Collateral Data
Portal (UCDP) will use an extended version of Property Information Valuation Response
Version 2.6. However, ULDD will be using the MISMO Version 3.0 Reference Model schema
(version 2010-05), which provides maximum flexibility for the collection of new data.

2012 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae.

MISMO is a registered trademark of the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization.

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