source:
  type: guide
  id: va-m26-7-ch01-t11
  authority: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 1, Topic 11 — Maintenance
    of Loan Records
  description: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 1, Topic 11 — Maintenance
    of Loan Records.
  coverage_tier: operative
obligations:
- id: va-m26-7-ch01-t11-full
  canonical_id: va-m26-7-ch01-t11-full
  section: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 1, Topic 11 — Maintenance
    of Loan Records
  type: do
  tags:
  - regulator-direct
  - va
  - va-handbook
  - corpus-expansion
  - tier-operative
  primary_source:
    tier: 1
    authority: VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), Chapter 1, Topic 11 — Maintenance
      of Loan Records
    source_class: va-handbook
    source_url: https://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/pam26_7.asp
    snapshot_id: b4bc25cdd49513a7
    fetched_at: '2026-05-23T01:53:52Z'
    content_hash: sha256:2516e061c3a90ce65e72b43ae4022a97e784d65ec7580998c523b5dc69ba6520
    paragraph_quote: '11. Maintenance of Loan Records Change Date February 1, 2019
      • This chapter has been revised in its entirety. a. Requirement Lenders must
      maintain all loan origination records on VA-guaranteed home loans for at least
      2 years from the date of loan closing. Even if the loan is sold, the original
      lender must maintain all records (or legible copies) for the required period.
      b. Examples of Loan Records Loan origination records include: • the loan application
      (including any preliminary application), • verifications of employment and deposit,
      • all credit reports (including preliminary credit reports), • copies of each
      sales contract and addendum(s), • letters of explanation for adverse credit
      items and discrepancies, • direct references from creditors, • correspondence
      with employers, • appraisal and compliance inspection reports , • reports on
      termite and other inspections of the property, • builder change orders, and
      • all closing papers and documents. c. Accessibility Lenders must make these
      records accessible to VA personnel conducting audit reviews. VA Pamphlet 26-7,
      Revised Chapter 1: Lender Approval Guidelines 1-38'
  judgment: false
