# Documentation Requirements and Loan Origination: Building Strategic Bridges

> FRFIs must maintain comprehensive documentation supporting mortgage approvals, encompassing loan purpose, employment status, income verification, debt service ratio calculations, Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio, property valuation, credit bureau reports, down payment source, and purchase and sale agreements.

Category: Financing
Last verified: 2026-02-18
Source: https://ratellow.com/faqs/financing/documentation-requirements-and-loan-origination-building-strategic-bridges

## Answer
FRFIs must maintain comprehensive documentation supporting mortgage approvals, encompassing loan purpose, employment status, income verification, debt service ratio calculations, Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio, property valuation, credit bureau reports, down payment source, and purchase and sale agreements. An independent third-party should be able to replicate all underwriting criteria based on FRFI documentation to validate the credit decision. Complete and accurate documentation builds strategic bridges of trust.

## Related guide
- https://ratellow.com/guides/self-employed-mortgage-bfs

## Sources
- Guarantors and co-signors of mortgages — https://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/en/guidance/guidance-library/residential-mortgage-underwriting-practices-procedures-guideline-2017#2.3.2
- Contents — https://www.sagen.ca/ups/underwriting-documentation/#documentation
- I. Purpose and scope of the guideline — https://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/en/guidance/guidance-library/residential-mortgage-underwriting-practices-procedures-guideline-2017#1.0