just curious about others opinions on using AUS as a decision point for HMDA?

We have had discussions with our examiners (FDIC) and outside audit about this. From a lengthy discussion that took place last year, we got an opinion from both that AUS does not constitute a decision for HMDA. Therefore, we do have some applications that are marked as "withdrawn" after AUS has been run, if they had affirmatively withdrawn their application before underwriting made a credit decision.

Check with your examiners, as some are of the opinion that a decision from an AUS is a decision. Much should depend upon how the bank treats that decision, but some banks with excellent compliance officers and processes have had to change their reporting.

We have had discussions with our examiners (FDIC) and outside audit about this. From a lengthy discussion that took place last year, we got an opinion from both that AUS does not constitute a decision for HMDA.

What Region are you in?

My previous rant

That is good to know, Dan. You were the experienced compliance officer I alluded to.

Now, I do know banks who DO use that decision, so for them the answer would be different.

If you read Dan's "previous rant" string - that's exactly the point I brought up in March/April 2015 about "approved, not accepted". I'm not going to go there right now. In fact, I'm working on an article with some updated information that is gained from clarifications in the newly issued HMDA rules that will reverse my previous opinions on this topic.

If you look at Attachment B of the CFPB's HMDA Small Entity Compliance Guide (pages 105-108), you'll see some further explanation of the action taken codes (withdrawn, denied, approved not accepted, etc.). Also on page 66183 of the 10/28/15 Federal Register (the HMDA Final Rule], ti states:
While some financial institutions may view any type of approval, even one with many outstanding conditions, as an approved loan and wish to report it as such under Regulation C, the Bureau believes this would be an inappropriate result for applications that ultimately did not result in originations and were conditioned on underwriting or creditworthiness conditions.

Maybe this will help you decide is AUS is a decision point.