Expanding approved lenders’ reach in originating FHA-insured single-family mortgage loans is a “positive step” in improving their ability to compete with non-approved and sponsored FHA originators, according to industry participants. The recently revised FHA policy eliminates the geographical restrictions imposed upon direct endorsement lenders, which limited their FHA originations to designated lending areas. Under the new policy, loan origination and servicing may be conducted from an approved lender’s home office, branch office or direct lending branch office. HUD no longer has to approve a lender’s branch office facilities. However, all office facilities, regardless of type, must ...