The bank is introducing credit scoring to our branches. The process is centralized and the understanding is that all consumer loans will be credit scored. The bank has a specific branch that accepts a lot of applications for bridge loans. In addition, the holding company has a mortgage affilate where the permanent first mortgage will be processed. The mortgage affiliate currenty prequalifies the borrower and obtains credit information. The branch typically accepts the mortgage company's credit bureau report rather than run another. The question is: would the branch now be required to do a credit score or could they still accept the mortgage company's credit bureau. Thank you.

Different products may be treated differently. If bridge loans only come in through the one branch or the mortgage company, they are arguably a different product and can be treated with unique underwriting criteria as long as those criteria don't discriminate and have a business purpose.

However, if the bank is simply going to treat loans differently because they come in that door instead of another one, you should have a persuasive reason for treating those applications differently. This would have to amount to distinguishing them as a separate product.