When we conduct certain verification processes (Verification of Employment, Verification of Deposit, Verification of Mortgage), there is occasionally a fee charged by a third-party. For example, if the borrower's employer requires that we use a third-party service to verify their employment, a fee will occur.

1) Is it REQUIRED to itemize this fee on the Loan Estimate?
2) Is it permissible to leave this fee off, and absorb it as a cost of doing business?

1) No it is not required if you don't intend to make the borrower pay for it.
2) Yes, you can leave it off the LE. But you should include it as a lender-paid cost in the CloD.