If our consumer loan department approves an unsecured loan for an individual (say a $5,000 loan to John Doe) who is married and resides in Wisconsin, a notice should be mailed to the non-borrowing spouse alerting them about the loan. However, a software programmer asked if such notice may be addressed to "John Doe and spouse" or "To the spouse of John Doe" if the spouse's name is not available.

Apparently, this would allow such a notice to be sent without delay whenever the non-signing spouse's name in not yet known.

Thanks.

Just have them give them their name. In a community property state, that should already be part of the application process.

Except as provided in par. (c), if a creditor extends credit to a spouse in a credit transaction governed by chs. 421 to 427 and the extension of credit may result in an obligation described under s. 766.55 (2) (b), the creditor shall give the nonapplicant spouse written notice of the extension of credit before any payment is due. The notice requirement may be satisfied by providing a copy of the instrument, document, agreement or contract evidencing the obligation to pay or any required credit disclosure which is given to the applicant spouse, or by providing a separate writing briefly describing the nature of the credit extended. Notice is considered given on the date it is mailed to the address of the nonapplicant spouse provided to the creditor by the applicant spouse. If the applicant spouse informs the creditor that the spouses reside at the same address, the notice may be enclosed in an envelope addressed to the nonapplicant spouse or both spouses.