The new mortgage law aims to reduce mortgage fraud within the State of Utah. As recently as 2001, Utah was ranked first amongst all states reporting incidences of Mortgage fraud by the FBI.

Under the new law, all mortgage companies that operate in Utah will be required to have a key representative known as a ?Principal Lending Manager?. The Principal Lending Manager will be responsible for the mortgage activities of his company's mortgage officers within the State of Utah.

Under the new law, the Principal Lending Manager must meet minimum experience and continuing education requirements before any mortgage officers with their company will be allowed to make any mortgage loans in Utah.

The new mortgage law, which took effect January 1, of this year provided for a grace period for all mortgage companies to comply with the new law. That grace period ends May 1, 2006.

Utah consumers can verify whether their mortgage agent is properly licensed by contacting the Utah Department of Real Estate or by searching the Utah Department of Real Estate's online database of licensed mortgage companies at http://realestate.utah.gov/database.html.