--- title: FHFA and the Agencies Announce Independent Dispute Resolution Program description: The FHFA has announced a new program that could help speed up disputes that can take an extended period of time to resolve. image: https://www.mortech.com/hubfs/2015_redesign/blog_images/2016/shutterstock_291788819.jpg --- [![Get my demo](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/25649/1c6fbee1-0d0c-4238-8485-13c8e3f73157.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/25649/1c6fbee1-0d0c-4238-8485-13c8e3f73157) [![mortech](https://www.mortech.com/hubfs/2015_redesign/mortech_logos/mortech_logo_white.png) ![mortech](https://www.mortech.com/hubfs/2015_redesign/mortech_logos/rings_logo_white.png) ](https://www.mortech.com/) # Mortech Blog # 855.298.9327 # FHFA and the Agencies Announce Independent Dispute Resolution Program Posted by [Lori Rezac](https://www.mortech.com/mortechblog/author/lori-rezac) on Feb 12, 2016 11:07:13 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![FHFA announces new program by Lori Rezac](https://www.mortech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2015_redesign/blog_images/2016/lori_2-12-16.jpg?width=360&name=lori_2-12-16.jpg "FHFA announces new program by Lori Rezac")At the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mae have implemented an independent dispute resolution (IDR) program, which was developed to assist in resolving repurchases disputes.  Lenders are allowed to submit unresolved disputes to a third party arbitrator once all other efforts have been exhausted.  This will hopefully clear up many of the disputes that can take an extended period of time to resolve and will provide clarity for lenders, ultimately increasing access to mortgage loans for creditworthy borrowers, according to the FHFA [news release](http://www.fhfa.gov/Media/PublicAffairs/Pages/FHFA-Fannie-and-Freddie-Announce-IDR-Program.aspx).   The new IDR process is not expected to be used frequently and most disputes will continue to be resolved through the appeal and escalation processes already in place.  The arbitrator’s determination will be the final decision on whether or not a defect existed at the time the IDR began.  Their determination will include a written award and a brief opinion.  The components of the IDR process will hopefully allow lenders to better manage their risk in determining the best course of action for a repurchase situation.   According to [SEL-2016-01](https://www.fanniemae.com/content/announcement/sel1601.pdf) and [Bulletin 2016-1](http://www.freddiemac.com/singlefamily/guide/bulletins/pdf/bll1601.pdf), all updates will be incorporated into the Fannie Mae Selling Guide and the Freddie Mac Guide later this year and are effective for loans dated January 1, 2016.   ![FHFA annoucnes new dispute program.](https://www.mortech.com/hubfs/2015_redesign/blog_images/2016/shutterstock_291788819.jpg "FHFA annoucnes new dispute program.") ### News & Events Get the latest Mortech product announcements, company updates, and mortgage news delivered to your inbox. ### Subscribe to email updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Compliance (2)](https://www.mortech.com/mortechblog/topic/compliance) - [Mortgage Compliance (2)](https://www.mortech.com/mortechblog/topic/mortgage-compliance) - [Mortgage Technology Top 50 Service Provider (1)](https://www.mortech.com/mortechblog/topic/mortgage-technology-top-50-service-provider) - [mortgage hedging (1)](https://www.mortech.com/mortechblog/topic/mortgage-hedging) ### Demo [Products](https://www.mortech.com/solutions) [Mortgage Pricing Engine](https://www.mortech.com/mortgage-pricing-engine) [Predictive Analytics](https://www.mortech.com/customer-retention-with-mortech-protection) [Mortgage APIs](https://www.mortech.com/mortgage-apis) [Online Rate Quoting](https://www.mortech.com/online-automated-rate-quoting) [Secondary Marketing](https://www.mortech.com/secondary-marketing) [About Us](https://www.mortech.com/about-us) [Partners](https://www.mortech.com/partners) [Investors](https://www.mortech.com/investors) [Contact Us](https://www.mortech.com/about-us/contact-us) [Testimonials](https://www.mortech.com/testimonials) [News & Events](https://www.mortech.com/mortechnews) [Blog](https://www.mortech.com/mortechblog) [Conference Calendar](https://www.mortech.com/conference-calendar) Follow Us Contact Us [855.298.9327](tel:855.298.9327) [sales@mortech.com](mailto:sales@mortech.com) [support@mortech.com](mailto:support@mortech.com) [Terms of Use](https://www.zillowgroup.com/terms-of-use-privacy-policy/)    |     © 2026 Mortech, a Zillow Group business, All Rights Reserved