Key Takeaways
- Define the asset, objective, scope, and decision timeline before outreach.
- Keep data, documentation, ownership, servicing, and material exceptions connected.
- Compare complete economics and execution terms rather than a headline number alone.
- Document responsibilities, transfer controls, and the next review step.
Establish a core review set
The following 15 data categories are a starting framework, not a regulator-issued standard or a complete transfer tape. Field requirements vary by asset, review stage, law, and the proposed transaction.
| Category | Definition needed |
|---|---|
| 1. Stable account ID | Unique, consistently mapped identifier; use a masked review ID when appropriate |
| 2. Owner and originator | Parties, provenance, and source references |
| 3. Product | Contract type and relevant product version |
| 4. Origination | Date, original amount, and source |
| 5. Geography | Relevant jurisdiction and the basis used |
| 6. Cutoff | Effective date of the reported population and balances |
| 7. Principal | Defined current principal and reconciliation method |
| 8. Interest and fees | Separate components and their contractual or legal basis |
| 9. Payments | Last payment date, amount, and available transaction history |
| 10. Delinquency | Status, calculation method, and as-of date |
| 11. Charge-off | Date, amount, and policy basis where applicable |
| 12. Servicing | Current servicer and material placement or recovery history |
| 13. Legal and account status | Disputes, bankruptcy, litigation, restrictions, and verification dates |
| 14. Documents | Availability, custody, ownership support, and exception references |
| 15. Collateral | Asset-specific description, priority, valuation date, and status where applicable |
Scroll horizontally to read the full table.
Connect the tape to evidence
A spreadsheet is not a substitute for contracts, assignment records, payment history, or collateral documents. Use an index keyed to the same account identifiers and distinguish available images, available originals, restricted files, missing items, and pending retrieval.
Design document sampling around the risks and segments of the pool. A fixed 5–10% sample is not automatically adequate. Record how the sample was selected, what was tested, findings, and any reason to expand review.
Segment without losing reconciliation
Useful segments can include product, vintage, geography, balance band, payment recency, collateral, and prior placements. Segment totals must reconcile to the approved population. Avoid creating overlapping buckets that double-count balances.
Use explicit status codes
“No,” “unknown,” “not checked,” and “not applicable” mean different things. Preserve the source and review date for bankruptcy, deceased, dispute, litigation, and other status information. One generic compliance flag cannot describe every restriction or establish compliance.
Control release and changes
Minimize personal information during initial review and limit access to authorized recipients. Issue a stable file version, dictionary, control totals, and exception log together. Explain material revisions and notify affected participants.
The loan tape data dictionary provides detailed field tables; the quality-control guide explains checks before release. Reliable data can reduce uncertainty, but does not guarantee a premium.
This page provides general information for institutional and commercial readers. It is not legal, tax, accounting, investment, or transaction-specific advice. Requirements and outcomes depend on the assets, parties, jurisdictions, and agreements. Obtain appropriate professional advice for a proposed transaction.