| Title: | MISMO®, ESRA and ALTA Release White Paper Confirming the Legality of eNotes |
| Source: | MISMO |
| Date: | 11/24/2008 |
Washington, D.C. (November 24, 2008) - MISMO, the not-for-profit data standards subsidiary of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), today released a joint white
paper along with the Electronic Signature and Records Association (ESRA) and the American Land Title Association (ALTA), entitled
Case Closed: eNotes Are Legal -- An Analysis of eNote Enforceability Nationwide. The white paper addresses the legality of
electronically-signed promissory notes, commonly referred to as eNotes, which are central to the eMortgage process.
Although eMortgages have become more prevalent in the mortgage banking industry, confusion has remained as to whether eNotes
are legal in all jurisdictions. The white paper addresses this common question while also identifying important logistical
implementation issues.
“By creating a paperless mortgage lending environment through the use of eMortgages, lenders reduce costs, improve compliance
and create efficiencies,” said Harry Gardner, MBA’s Vice President of Industry Technology and President of MISMO. “MBA, in
concert with ESRA and ALTA, was able to provide a framework for lenders who are looking to increase their eMortgage business.
Our hope is that the mortgage banking industry utilizes this document to advance any legal, regulatory and operational issues
in relation to the use of electronic signatures and records.”
The key topics outlined in the white paper include:
• Understanding the legality of eNotes in all jurisdictions
• Detailing the states supporting eNotes through adoption of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA)
• Providing guidance for situations where state laws don’t expressly support eNotes
• eNotes implementation
“As more jurisdictions allow lenders to use eNotes, its imperative that technology and compliance professionals have the latest
guidance and information available to them,” said Margo Tank, Partner with Buckley Kolar, LLP and legal counsel for ESRA.
“ESRA was pleased to partner with MISMO and ALTA to provide the industry with this necessary information that will enable
more lenders to leverage eMortgages as a more standard way of doing business.”
“ALTA, with the direction and expertise of MISMO and ESRA, is delighted to offer valuable legal support to the land title
agencies across the industry,” said Kelly Romeo, Director of Technology for ALTA. “The white paper conclusively shows that
the use of eNotes is legal in all jurisdictions, which is immensely helpful as we navigate toward a paperless lending environment.”
To download the white paper, Case Closed: eNotes Are Legal -- An Analysis of eNote Enforceability Nationwide, from MISMO’s
Web site go to http://www.mortgagebankers.org/files/ResourceCenter/emortgage/eNoteWhitePaper.pdf.