Consumer complaint received 2024-01-02
Product: Mortgage — Conventional home mortgage
Issue: Applying for a mortgage or refinancing an existing mortgage — Delays in the application process
Company: United Shore Financial Services, LLC (AZ)

Lending Discrimination Statutes and Regulations I, XXXX XXXX, will discuss the series of events which greatly supports my position for being targeted by UWM ( United Wholesale Mortgage ) and the potential violations of Fair Lending that it has produced. 

I am a licensed Loan Officer and recently ran into an audit finding with UWM on a previous client. This part is information prior to my loan which I believe can be beneficial to the entire complaint. 

I was notified that my client closed on a couple of houses in another state the day prior to closing on the home they did with me. I had no knowledge of the other purchases or transactions so I had nothing to speak on that issue. The audit team asked for documents and proof of the properties being rented to offset his XXXX so the outcome of his approval wouldn't change. I reached out multiple times but never received the documents. The client said that his management team needs to get it for him and he has requested it a few times. In the mix of all that He decided to sell the property that was an XXXX so he can invest in other section 8 properties. His reasoning was that the XXXX XXXX wasn't generating enough profit and the same money he put into it could be invested in a higher return. I provided proof the property was sold to UWM. About a week later they notified us that he has been black listed for undisclosed properties after the property had been sold and the loan paid in full. I relayed the information to him with their decision. It turns out that the other properties were with UWM as well through a different Loan officer in another state. UWM ( United Wholesale Mortgage ) systems for checks and balances should have triggered or caught this in my opinion. If all of his info is on each property how did UWM not catch thi

s prior to them closing back to back? This shows severe issues in the UWM system process which puts the consumer at risk. Not to mention it puts UWM at risk as well.

This is when things really started showing up at my door step. A few months later I needed to refinance my own property. I started to notice or feel that I was being targeted and wondered if I myself had been flagged due to the previous incident. I gave it the benefit of the doubt but after a series of events it feels very deliberate. 

At the very beginning I started having issues with my loan. With simple math and an explanation I was able to show and provide what was wrong with the current review and request corrections. 

The DTI ( debt to income ) mathematical equation was not properly completed. I requested corrections but there was always a reason it was denied. It appeared I needed to add my spouse to help the XXXX due to the incompentence of the underwriter. 

I then added my spouse to increase income but her credit was worse. If the account was correctly done the first time I would have been in a better position with a lower rate and payment. In a nutshell I was pushed over to having a higher rate and payment do to negligence of the UWM team. We clearly know this is illegal and is a ploy for UWM to make more money with me being at a higher rate. At closing I signed the anti steering document as there was no steering by XXXX Mortgage, I feel confident that there was steering by the underwriters to push me into products that would have been more beneficial for the company. I will explain this further below as I explain the series of events. 

On another occasion the underwriter requested a CPA letter. I gladly reached out and copied the exact request from underwriting that I received from the processor and sent it over to my CPA. With that said, the exact verbiage that was requested was given from my CPA and the document was submitted. Shortly after that we received another request stating that the CPA letter must also state that youre currently active. I then again reached out to my CPA and ask him for the additional info to be added. I provided this document and thought I would be good. I got an email forwarded over to me from my CPA asking me how he should proceed. It was from XXXX XXXX - XXXX XXXX. Here is his letter to my XXXX 

From : XXXX XXXX XXXX : Wednesday, XX/XX/2023 XXXX XXXX : XXXX : Verification request - XXXX - XXXX, XXXX : High Good Morning XXXX, \n\nUnited Wholesale Mortgage is currently processing a loan application for a mutual client and we were provided a CPA explanation letter on your letterhead and bearing your signature. We received two different versions of the letter and there appears to be text added over the top of the original letter in the second version provided to UWMXXXX hoping you can confirm whether or not the attached letter is genuine and whether or not the additional line added about the borrowers schedule C business being currently active was added by you or by someone authorized to do so on your behalf.\n\nYour assistance is appreciated. 

Please feel free to reach out directly with any questions or concerns. 

Thanks, The only reason for the duplicate letter is due to the underwriters request and not properly requesting the correct information the first time. It appears this was perfectly set up to try and entrap me and again to deny the loan. The font in the letter is slightly different. However, there is a repeated trend in how my account is being handled by UWM. This appears to be Overt Evidence and a violation of fair lending.

Let 's move on to credit accounts with installments less than 10 months. UWM refused to make changes though statements proved that there were less than 10 months. Finally, I had to call XXXX to call and verify the accounts in order for them to finally adjust the accounts. 

We had an account closed ( acceptance now ) and verified on credit and with XXXX during a 3 way call. This was an error as merchandise was never accepted so no credit was given. We have provided many documents and evidence that there is no account or payment and yet UWM will not accept any of them. They continue to count it in my DTI which can ultimately was affecting my debt to income and possible approval. 

Over the entire process I have felt targeted. Anytime info requested was given, I satisfied the request. They would come back with more or find something else. This appears to be because the information provided helped my account, and just like XXXX XXXX contacting my CPA they appeared to be on the hunt for another way to deny my loan. 

It is one thing to feel the stress of the process which is common. However, I have an understanding of it. Its another thing to resolve issues over and over again only to only have that company then try to dig and find more they can use against you. 

The most latest incident came about after I submitted the final documents as requested. The response was that even though I am paying off the XXXX mortgage and only refinancing the XXXX mortgage, I would still need to be under a XXXX XXXX XXXX. This is were the underwriters were " steering '' the loan. This would have caused higher rates, less favorable terms and a higher payment which could ultimately end up in a denial of the loan once again. This may also have caused unnecessary payoffs. This was eventually escalated to an account manager who then was able to correct this action. Had I not had the background I do this could have easily been pushed into the wrong product or worse, denied entirely. The request to change it from cash out refinance to a traditional conventional rate and term sat on the file for weeks. This was not the first time they pushed the cash out refinance terms. 

I believe if you pulled my loan and did a review against some of the worst approvals and some of the best denials you would find this to fall within Comparative Evidence of XXXX XXXX. There is definitely discrimination happening through this process whether intentional or not but UWM. The terms are also less favorable to my protected class ( Familial status ) as well. In comparison to other lenders in the organization I am sure you will find inconsistencies and ultimately resulting in a decision by the the courts to be Discrimination.

1. Discrimination and violation of fair lending 2. Defamation of character and reputation - CPA relationship can change our business together if it is presumed or appears I am being fraudulent.

1. Also includes a negative impact to my loan officer license and future business due to the attempts to catch me in an act I am not guilty of.

3. Compensatory Damages 4. Statutory Damages 5. Attempted " Steering '' of the loan product. 

This complaint is against United Wholesale Mortgage directly. In no way shape or form does this result in XXXX XXXX through whom the loan was generated with but the actions of United Wholesale Mortgage once they received and started to process my loan in house. All the actions and details given above are directly related to the XXXX party " United Wholesale Mortgage '' specifically.