I am reviewing a loan file and the loan officer has included (as positive comments) "Borrower is 66 and moved here from the Philippines in 2001."

Although the intent was right, to me this looks like a potential problem.

What do you think?

Maybe...
Is (or was) the loan officer trying to establish if the applicant has permanent residency here?

Or are you concerned because the age was included?

My concern is the reference to national origin and age (even though age is pretty easy to figure out from the application.)

I share your concern. I would have questioned comments like that myself. What does being 66 and having moved from the Phillipines have to do with being a creditworthy individual? I would caution your lenders to be more careful with notes to the file. The borrowers either meet your underwriting standards or they don't.

The comment regarding the move from the Phillipines might have been used to explain a 'thin-credit' file (if that was the case). The borrower's entire credit history might be with Phillipine banks. I'm not sure if those banks report to US credit reporting agencies.

I don't believe the reference to age was appropriate though (unless the applicant was applying for a senior-discount loan product/program).

my 2 cents....jon

I see the possible implications here. And we consistently discourage against this type of commenting. But lets face it folks......just because they moved from the Phillipines, doesn't mean they are of Filipino decent. Ditto on the age thing...its on the application and could even on the credit report. Another ditto on the thin credit theory. Good call on bringing this point up though, a excellent reminder about comments!