We extended a dwelling-secured, five-year, fully-amortizing loan to pay for the borrower’s construction costs to build a primary residence. We disbursed the loan proceeds directly to the borrower. Is this loan reportable under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA)?

Under the new HMDA rules that took effect in 2018, if the construction loan is designed to be replaced by permanent financing at a later date (in other words, a two-phase loan), the first phase of the construction loan is excluded from HMDA reporting as a temporary loan. However, if the construction loan is not designed to be replaced by permanent financing (in other words, a one-phase loan) is HMDA reportable, as it would not qualify for an exclusion as temporary financing.

For resources related to our guidance, please see:

  • Regulation C, 12 CFR 1003.3(c) (“Excluded transactions. The requirements of this part do not apply to: . . . (3) Temporary financing; . . .”)
  • Regulation C, Official Interpretations, Paragraph 3(c), Comment 1 (“A loan or line of credit is considered temporary financing and excluded under § 1003.3(c)(3) if the loan or line of credit is designed to be replaced by separate permanent financing extended by any financial institution to the same borrower at a later time. For example: . . .

ii. Lender A extends credit to a borrower to finance construction of a dwelling. The borrower will obtain a new extension of credit for permanent financing for the , either from Lender A or from another lender, and either through a refinancing of the initial construction loan or a separate loan. The initial construction loan is excluded as temporary financing under § 1003.3(c)(3)

iv. Lender A extends credit to finance construction of a dwelling. The loan automatically will convert to permanent financing extended to the same borrower with Lender A once the construction phase is complete. Under § 1003.3(c)(3), the loan is not designed to be replaced by separate permanent financing extended to the same borrower, and therefore the temporary financing exclusion does not apply. See also comment 2(j)-3.

v. Lender A originates a loan with a nine-month term to enable an investor to purchase a home, renovate it, and re-sell it before the expires. Under § 1003.3(c)(3), the loan is not designed to be replaced by separate permanent financing extended to the same borrower, and therefore the temporary financing exclusion does not apply. Such a transaction is not temporary financing under § 1003.3(c)(3) merely because its term is short.”)

  • Regulation C, Official Interpretations, Paragraph 3(c), Comment 2 (“Loan or line of credit to construct a dwelling for sale. A construction-only loan or line of credit is considered temporary financing and excluded under § 1003.3(c)(3) if the loan or line of credit is extended to a person exclusively to construct a dwelling for sale. . . .”)