Nov

Client Bulletin: November 28, 2023

Our Cybersecurity Philosophy and Overview

As a leading mortgage subservicer, Cenlar fully understands the security implications of existing and emerging cyber threats. We make security a priority to protect our own operations and your homeowner’s data, which you have entrusted to us.

We are committed to your business excellence and the protection of your data. For more about Cenlar’s approach to information security, please check out our overview above, and also posted on CenAccess under Training and Reference and then User Manuals. Please be sure to alert your information security and vendor management teams to this document, as it answers many questions they might have about our cybersecurity approach and posture.

Important Dates to Know for 1098s

As the end of 2023 fast approaches, we are hard at work making sure tax season goes seamlessly for you and your homeowners.

Client Year-End Deadlines and Dates

Please make note of the following important deadlines and dates for clients:

The deadline for clients to make pre-year-end corrections to homeowner 1098s is Friday, Dec. 15. If you need to submit corrections, please send the request through CCM (General Servicing/Year End/Bulk 1098 Corrections/Pre-Year End Correction).
All loans closed in 2023 must be boarded by Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.
Our 1098 reports for 2023 will be available to share with clients by Feb. 15, 2024.

Homeowner 1098 Communication Campaign

Next week, starting on Dec. 5, your homeowners will begin receiving emails from us to proactively inform them of what to expect come tax season.

The first of these messages lets homeowners know that their 1098 will be coming soon. Our IVR will also be updated on Dec. 5 with generic information about 1098s. This IVR content will periodically be refreshed with updates for homeowners as 1098s are prepared and delivered.

On Jan. 10, 2024, we will begin posting 1098s on CenNet for all homeowners who have enrolled in paperless. These homeowners will receive an email from us with a link to their 1098 as soon as it is available to access. We will also post a link on the CenNet landing page that will bring homeowners directly to their 1098s. Please note that homeowners who have enrolled in paperless will not receive a paper copy of their 1098; they will only receive their 1098 online.

Paper 1098s will be mailed to all other homeowners between Jan. 15 and Jan. 24, 2024.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your client manager.

Check Your Specs: XML Warnings Have Begun Changing Over to Rejects

As we’ve communicated throughout the year, we have put additional emphasis on new loan boarding data in order to minimize the potential for future friction in servicing the loan and for the homeowner. We’re doing this because accurate, complete and timely delivery of new loan boarding data and documents are foundational to our partnership with you and our ability to serve your homeowners.

We wanted to take this opportunity to offer a friendly reminder to check your XML file specs and any warnings you may be receiving, as we are starting to change warnings over to rejects. Doing this check now will help you to confirm what the required fields are and what are considered valid values for each field.

FHA and VA COVID-19 Forbearances Coming to A Close

With the continued retirement of COVID-19 forbearance assistance, all forbearances for FHA loans must end by Nov. 30, 2023. VA COVID-19 forbearances must end on or before Dec. 31, 2023. Homeowners with VA loans may still use the forbearance website until the end of December.

Need A New Block of Loan Numbers?

Whenever your organization needs a new block of loan numbers, be sure to send a message to the Cenlar Help Desk, as this is the quickest way for us to accommodate you.

All you need to do is send an email to Cenlarhelpdesk@cenlar.com with your request, and we’ll quickly facilitate this for you. Please do not submit a CCM ticket for new blocks of loan numbers.

New Homeowner Email List Now on CenAccess

We have posted a list of all of the emails that we send to homeowners.

To access this list, go to the Training & Reference menu and select “User Manuals.” The file name is “Email Listing for Clients 11.15.23.”

This file is updated with the most-recent list of homeowner emails once each month.