Mortgage loan originator to register with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, obtain a unique identifier, and maintain this registration. The final rule further provides that Agency-regulated institutions must: require their employees who act as residential mortgage loan originators to comply with the S.A.F.E. Act’s requirements to register and obtain a unique identifier and adopt and follow written policies and procedures designed to assure compliance with these requirements. DATES: This final rule is effective on October 1, 2010. Compliance with (registration requirement) of the final rule is required by the end of the 180-day period for initial registrations beginning on the date the Agencies provide in a public notice that the Registry is accepting initial registrations.

The S.A.F.E. Act,1enacted on July 30, 2008, mandates a nationwide licensing and registration system for mortgage loan originators. Specifically, the Act requires all States to provide for a licensing and registration regime for mortgage loan originators who are not employed by Agency-regulated institutions within one year of enactment (or two years for States whose legislatures meet biennially). In addition, the S.A.F.E. Act requires the OCC, Board, FDIC, OTS and NCUA,2through the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC), and the FCA to develop and maintain a system for registering mortgage loan originators employed by Agency-regulated institutions. The S.A.F.E. Act specifically prohibits an individual from engaging in the business of residential mortgage loan origination without first obtaining and maintaining annually: (1) A registration as a registered mortgage loan originator and a unique identifier if employed by an Agency-regulated institution (Federal registration), or a license and registration as a State-licensed mortgage loan originator and a unique identifier.