Desktop Underwriter and Desktop Originator
Manage risk and grow your business with confidence
The mortgage industry’s leading underwriting system
Desktop Underwriter® (DU®) is Fannie Mae’s automated mortgage loan underwriting system. Building on 30 years of digital underwriting innovation, DU is a powerful tool to help lenders assess credit risk and establish a loan’s eligibility for sale and delivery to Fannie Mae. And it’s also a way to better serve the 9 out of 10 homebuyers who prefer a digital mortgage process1.
Designed for efficiency, reliability, and ease of use, DU provides clear, actionable guidance for both purchase and refinance loans for a wide range of borrowers. With advanced risk analysis and digital innovations, lenders have access to insights that can instill confidence to reach more potential borrowers than ever before.
Sponsored mortgage brokers have access to DU through Desktop Originator® (DO®).
Integrate with ease
Javascript Object Notation (JSON) format - Available now
Act on DU Findings with greater speed and flexibility with the new automation-ready JSON format. It's now easier for integrated lenders and partners to consume findings, help optimize workflows, and more seamlessly adopt new data elements as they're introduced—across both conventional and government loans.
See key information first
PDF format with summary view - Available June 27
Make decisions faster with key information at your fingertips. A new DU Findings summary highlights eligibility status, rep and warrant relief, and critical insights at the top of the report, so lenders can immediately determine next steps and take action.
What’s new in DU?
Discover the latest enhancements and innovations — and find out what’s next.
Coming soon
Drive efficiencies with message updates for greater clarity, Selling Guide alignment for income evaluation, improved employment and income validation, and more.
June 26, 2026
Just released
Serve more borrowers with DU V. 12.1, which includes accessory dwelling unit income eligibility, HomeStyle® Refresh, expanded manufactured housing options, and updated employer name matching in the DU validation service.
March 21, 2026
Optimize risk management for undisclosed debt
Now DU can help you manage the risk of repurchase due to unexpected borrower debt — one of the most common defects.
See what DU can do
DU offers powerful capabilities to help make the most of every lending opportunity.
Lower verification costs
Reduce report costs and increase productivity by validating assets, income, and employment with a single data source.2
Pre-qualify with a soft credit pull
Get more options for pre-qualification with DU’s early assessment using a soft credit pull.
Reduce risk with digital validation
Receive rep and warrant relief by confirming borrower data digitally.
Qualify more borrowers
Consider on-time rent payments to help more renters become homeowners.
Expand eligibility using cashflow insights
Approve more eligible borrowers based on cashflow assessments.
Assess complex incomes
Quickly and easily evaluate income from self-employment, business ownership, or rental properties with Income Calculator.
Save on appraisals
Reduce cycle time and borrowers’ costs by obtaining value acceptance offers through DU.
Simplify condo loan processing
Reduce manual work with up-to-date condo project messaging provided directly in DU.
Loans with at least one digital validation component are 33% less likely to produce defects.
Up to 2.5x more borrowers have benefited from expanded on-time rent payment reporting.
50% of lenders2 using an asset report to verify income and employment see some level of cost savings.
Based on internal reporting data.
Unlock DU's full potential
Grow your business with faster and more reliable validation using an asset report in DU. Data from a borrower’s bank statements streamlines the verification process.
Asset validation
Positive rent payment history consideration
Cashflow assessment
Employment validation
Wage income validation (base, bonus, overtime, commission)
Child support income validation
Alimony income validation
Social Security income validation
Pension income validation
Long-term or VA disability income validation
DU Learning Center
View user guides, FAQs and training resources for DU, the DU validation service, and DU early assessment.
Set up DU Wholesale account
Establish and manage a DU Wholesale account for TPOs.
Search sponsoring lenders
Find contact information for sponsoring lenders.
Find job aids
Instructional guides for common Desktop Originator tasks.
Register as a broker
Use this form to sign up as a user for Desktop Originator.
Technology Integration Resources
Detailed information to help stay current and compliant.
Technology Manager
Manage user access to DU and other Fannie Mae applications.
Technology Support Center
Contact us for help with Fannie Mae technology applications.
Consolidated Technology Guide
Reference for Fannie Mae’s technology licensing contract and other terms.
References
1“9 out of 10 homebuyers”: Fannie Mae survey of recent homebuyers on digital verification technology, August 2024
2In a survey of DU validation service - single source pilot lenders, 50% of respondents reported some level of cost savings. Customer results may vary.
3“43% of renters”: Fannie Mae Mortgage Understanding Study: 2023 refresh
“74% of consumers want to buy a home on their next move”: Fannie Mae Mortgage Understanding Study: 2023 refresh
