MISMO has announced that new data mapping for Department of Veterans Affairs Form 26-1820 has achieved "Candidate Recommendation" status, marking a significant milestone in mortgage industry modernization efforts.
The effort translates VA Form 26-1820 into a standardized XML dataset designed to improve data integrity, automation, and interoperability while reducing manual data entry.
"The VA Documents Data Mapping is a great example of industry collaboration in action," said MISMO President Brian Vieaux, CMB. "Stakeholders now have a standardized, machine-readable format that improves data accuracy, streamlines reporting, and supports broader modernization goals."
The VA Documents to Data Development Workgroup, co-chaired by Jose Ferrer and Nick Fisseler of the VA, was established in 2023 to support the VA's Loan Guaranty Program transformation. The workgroup's focus addresses VA Form 26-1820, the Report and Certification of Loan Disbursement that lenders submit to report loans for VA guaranty at closing.
The initiative benefits multiple stakeholders, including VA Loan Guaranty, lenders, loan origination system vendors, and document vendors, by providing a consistent framework for handling critical VA loan documentation.
The workgroup's three-phase initiative is nearing completion. Phase I, covering VA Form 26-1820 mapping, is complete and moving to a 30-day public comment period.
Phase II has submitted mapping for VA Forms 26-1880 and 26-1817 for review, while Phase III is finalizing VA Form 26-1805 mapping for submission.
Once all three phases are complete, the workgroup will be integrated into MISMO's Originations Community of Practice, ensuring ongoing governance and evolution of the standards.
“Candidate Recommendation” status reflects industry consensus and signals the standard is ready for implementation. MISMO is encouraging industry participants to begin adopting the standard and provide feedback to the VA Documents to Data Development Workgroup as part of the organization's ongoing standards governance process.
