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SAFE Act: Frequently asked questions

The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act is also known as the SAFE Act. The SAFE Act is a federal law that is designed to improve protection for consumers and reduce fraud in mortgage lending. Under this law, individual Mortgage Loan Originators must register in the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS). All registered Mortgage Loan Originators have a unique identification number (NMLS ID) that they use throughout their career, even if they change employers.

 

This NMLS ID makes it easier for consumers to find information on NMLS Consumer Access℠. The NMLS Consumer Access℠ is a free service to provide consumers access, on nmlsconsumeraccess.orgOpens overlay, to information about Mortgage Loan Originators such as work address, financial services employment history and more.

Under the SAFE Act, a Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) must be registered with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry. The SAFE Act defines a Mortgage Loan Originator as someone who:

  • Takes a residential mortgage loan application or receives mortgage loan application information; and
  • Offers or negotiates the terms of a residential mortgage loan.

The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry ("NMLS") is the online system created to support registration of Mortgage Loan Originators.

The NMLS ID is a unique identification number that is issued by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry ("NMLS") to each Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO).

You can access the NMLS Consumer Access℠ website by going to nmlsconsumeraccess.orgOpens overlay.

The search page will allow the user to search for a Chase MLO employee by entering the following information:

  • First two characters of Last Name and/or first two characters of First Name; or
  • Complete NMLS ID, exact match required.
  • For best results, enter the full NMLS ID to search for the individual.
  • If you do not have the complete NMLS ID, you can search for the individual by the first two characters of Last Name and/or the first two characters of First Name.
  • If you are unsure about the spelling of the name, select the "sounds like" option associated to the First and/or Last Name.
  • You do not have to enter special characters or apostrophe for the name search. Only alpha characters are valid.
  • Search results will return up to 100 entries at a time and will be displayed 10 to a page.
  • Verify that you entered the information correctly. If not, resubmit your request with correct information.
  • Review the suggestions on how to improve the success of your search (Question 7).
  • The employee may no longer be employed at Chase. You can search for the individual by accessing the NMLS Consumer Access℠ website nmlsconsumeraccess.orgOpens overlay.