What should a lender do if a loan application is incomplete?

When a loan application is incomplete, the appropriate course of action for a lender is to notify the borrower to complete it. This ensures that the borrower has the opportunity to provide all necessary information for the lender to make an informed decision about the loan application.

Completing a loan application is crucial because lenders rely on accurate and complete information to assess the borrower's creditworthiness and overall financial situation. By notifying the borrower to complete the application, lenders not only adhere to ethical practices but also comply with federal regulations that aim to protect consumers in the mortgage process. This approach promotes transparency and helps ensure that borrowers are fully aware of the information needed to move forward with their loan request.

Processing an incomplete application or providing a loan estimate without full details could lead to misinformed lending decisions and potentially jeopardize the financial well-being of both the lender and the borrower. Thus, seeking completion of the application is the best practice.