Ginnie Mae opens testing for expanded RFS data, confirms Sept. 1, 2024 go‑live
March 25, 2024 | Ginnie Mae, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Executive, Federal
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Ginnie Mae hosted a virtual kickoff to begin testing for an expanded Reporting Feedback System (RFS) dataset that will add 11 new loan‑level data elements and one updated field to issuer reporting, officials said. The agency laid out three testing cycles, documentation resources and steps for issuers and service bureaus to register and submit test plans ahead of a Sept. 1, 2024 required go‑live.
The webinar, led by Renee (a senior business analyst in the customer experience group), and technical staff including Matt and Rick, explained that the RFS expansion supplements — but does not replace — the existing monthly investor reporting flow. "We're expecting that testing to go on through the end of July," a presenter said, noting the agency plans August for final preparations so reporting using August 2024 data begins on Sept. 1, 2024 as specified in APM 2403 and Modernization Bulletin 39.
Why it matters: the expanded file will require additional fields from the L and V records and will affect how issuers and service bureaus prepare monthly submissions. Issuers that generate files in‑house or use custom configurations must participate in testing; issuers that rely on service bureaus should coordinate with those vendors rather than individually test, though voluntary testing by any issuer is permitted.
Key details and next steps: Ginnie Mae described three testing windows designed to give issuers flexibility: a March cycle (using January data), a May cycle (using February data) and a July cycle (using May data). Organizations must register using an RFS registration form (organization name, primary contact, issuer IDs and testing organization type) and then submit a technical RFS test plan that specifies program (single‑family or multifamily), issuer IDs, how many records will be submitted, the submission method (My GinnieMae portal upload or secure FTP) and any deviations from production data. The panel advised registrants to note any constructed or altered values in the test plan; pool ID and Ginnie Mae unique loan ID must match production data where required.
Appendix and documentation: Appendix 619 on the Ginnie Mae modernization initiative page contains the file layout and field definitions for the expanded elements; speakers repeatedly referenced APM 2403 (the APM specifying the expansion) and Modernization Bulletin 39 as the authoritative guidance and said those documents and related FAQs are posted on the issuer tab of the Ginnie Mae website. Contact for follow‑ups is askGinnieMae@hud.gov and the presentation and recording will be posted online.
Testing mechanics and feedback: Test files must follow naming conventions tied to the cycle and issuer ID. The testing team will review submitted test plans (the stated target was roughly 24 hours turnaround, subject to volume) and then accept test files; exception reports will be emailed to the contact listed on the test plan in the same structure as current RFS exception files. Panelists said S (sensitive) records are optional for testing; V records (new data elements) should be included for a representative sample and must be reported for every loan in the first month of expanded reporting. After the initial month, V‑record submissions are required only when V‑record data changes or for new issuances.
Support and vendor coordination: Presenters said they are working with major service bureaus and vendors (examples named on the call included FIS and Black Knight) and offered to set up follow‑up calls for issuers that need vendor coordination. Additional webinars and manual entry training (for issuers that do not submit files) will be scheduled in advance of go‑live; attendees will receive subscription email notifications when training is announced.
What to expect next: issuers and service bureaus should (1) review APM 2403 and Appendix 619, (2) submit the RFS registration form, (3) prepare and submit the technical test plan, and (4) coordinate with vendors as needed. The agency will post the webinar recording and materials and respond to follow‑up questions submitted to askGinnieMae@hud.gov.
The session closed with hosts reiterating the Sept. 1, 2024 go‑live date from APM 2403 and reminding attendees to complete the post‑training survey and to consult the modernization initiative page for resources and timeline updates.
The webinar, led by Renee (a senior business analyst in the customer experience group), and technical staff including Matt and Rick, explained that the RFS expansion supplements — but does not replace — the existing monthly investor reporting flow. "We're expecting that testing to go on through the end of July," a presenter said, noting the agency plans August for final preparations so reporting using August 2024 data begins on Sept. 1, 2024 as specified in APM 2403 and Modernization Bulletin 39.
Why it matters: the expanded file will require additional fields from the L and V records and will affect how issuers and service bureaus prepare monthly submissions. Issuers that generate files in‑house or use custom configurations must participate in testing; issuers that rely on service bureaus should coordinate with those vendors rather than individually test, though voluntary testing by any issuer is permitted.
Key details and next steps: Ginnie Mae described three testing windows designed to give issuers flexibility: a March cycle (using January data), a May cycle (using February data) and a July cycle (using May data). Organizations must register using an RFS registration form (organization name, primary contact, issuer IDs and testing organization type) and then submit a technical RFS test plan that specifies program (single‑family or multifamily), issuer IDs, how many records will be submitted, the submission method (My GinnieMae portal upload or secure FTP) and any deviations from production data. The panel advised registrants to note any constructed or altered values in the test plan; pool ID and Ginnie Mae unique loan ID must match production data where required.
Appendix and documentation: Appendix 619 on the Ginnie Mae modernization initiative page contains the file layout and field definitions for the expanded elements; speakers repeatedly referenced APM 2403 (the APM specifying the expansion) and Modernization Bulletin 39 as the authoritative guidance and said those documents and related FAQs are posted on the issuer tab of the Ginnie Mae website. Contact for follow‑ups is askGinnieMae@hud.gov and the presentation and recording will be posted online.
Testing mechanics and feedback: Test files must follow naming conventions tied to the cycle and issuer ID. The testing team will review submitted test plans (the stated target was roughly 24 hours turnaround, subject to volume) and then accept test files; exception reports will be emailed to the contact listed on the test plan in the same structure as current RFS exception files. Panelists said S (sensitive) records are optional for testing; V records (new data elements) should be included for a representative sample and must be reported for every loan in the first month of expanded reporting. After the initial month, V‑record submissions are required only when V‑record data changes or for new issuances.
Support and vendor coordination: Presenters said they are working with major service bureaus and vendors (examples named on the call included FIS and Black Knight) and offered to set up follow‑up calls for issuers that need vendor coordination. Additional webinars and manual entry training (for issuers that do not submit files) will be scheduled in advance of go‑live; attendees will receive subscription email notifications when training is announced.
What to expect next: issuers and service bureaus should (1) review APM 2403 and Appendix 619, (2) submit the RFS registration form, (3) prepare and submit the technical test plan, and (4) coordinate with vendors as needed. The agency will post the webinar recording and materials and respond to follow‑up questions submitted to askGinnieMae@hud.gov.
The session closed with hosts reiterating the Sept. 1, 2024 go‑live date from APM 2403 and reminding attendees to complete the post‑training survey and to consult the modernization initiative page for resources and timeline updates.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
