E-signature watermark

[jerry]

Today I had 2 clients contact me about a copy of a tax return for a home refi.

Both used eSignature, and both were told by their loan processors that a "DO NOT FILE" watermark was unacceptable.  This is the first time I've had any pushback on the watermark.

I did, however, note that the Lacerte update last month added a check box on eSig that allows non-watermarked copies through DocuSign.

Has something changed in the mortgage world where "DO NOT FILE" is no longer accepted?  If so, this is going to be a lot of work for me as I get asked for copies of older returns - that was one of the big benefits of eSig!

[Karl]

This kind of thing sounds like a lender preference.  Ever since the Dodd Frank Act tightened lending practices, bankers have been more hamstrung issuing loans, and they sometimes add their own internal rules.

I'm not a big fan of bankers for how they didn't pay agent fees on PPP loans, and how they want us to write comfort letters to do their due diligence work for them, yet give no thought to compensating us amidst all the other professionals who do get paid via escrow when a loan closes.  Rant for today.

Hang in there. I wouldn't change anything in your SOP yet.