A compliance checklist for mortgage calculator pages and lead forms

Short answer: before a mortgage calculator page goes live, confirm ten things: NMLS and licensing details, an estimate disclaimer, compliant rate and payment language, clear TCPA consent, a privacy notice, honest data use, Fair Housing-safe copy and imagery, the Equal Housing logo or statement where required, accessibility, and a named reviewer. This is a practical checklist, not legal advice — have your compliance officer review the final page.

Calculators are advertising. A payment result on your page sits right next to your name and license, and a lead form collects personal information. Here is what to check.

1. Is your NMLS ID and licensing information visible?

The SAFE Act and state rules generally require originators and companies to display their NMLS ID in advertising, including websites. Put it in the footer and near your name, along with any state licensing statements you’re required to show. Consumers can verify you on NMLS Consumer Access.

2. Does the page say results are estimates?

State clearly that calculator results are estimates for illustration, not a loan offer, commitment or Loan Estimate, and that actual terms depend on credit, property and underwriting. Keep it near the calculator, not hidden in the footer.

3. Does your copy use Regulation Z trigger terms?

Under Regulation Z §1026.24, stating certain terms in an ad — a down payment amount or percentage, the number of payments or repayment period, a payment amount, or a finance charge — triggers disclosure of the down payment, repayment terms and the APR. Watch headlines such as “Payments from $1,899/month” and examples in your page copy. If you state a rate, state the APR.

The numbers a visitor generates with their own inputs are different from numbers you advertise — but the copy around the calculator is yours, so review it.

4. Is consent to call or text clear and affirmative?

If leads will receive marketing calls or texts using automated technology, the TCPA generally requires prior express written consent. Good practice:

• An unchecked box the visitor ticks themselves.
• Plain language naming who will contact them and how (calls, texts, emails).
• A statement that consent is not a condition of any purchase or service.
• A link to your privacy notice.

The FCC’s consumer guide explains the basics; your counsel should approve the exact wording. CalcFunnel’s lead form includes a consent field you control.

5. Is there a privacy notice linked from the form?

Link your privacy policy directly under the submit button and describe in a sentence what happens to the data (“We’ll use your details to contact you about your mortgage options. We don’t sell your information.”). If you serve California residents, your notice must meet CCPA/CPRA requirements.

6. Do you only collect what you need?

Ask for the fields you’ll actually use. First name, email and phone are enough to start a conversation; don’t ask for income or SSN on a marketing form.

7. Is the copy and imagery Fair Housing-safe?

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing-related transactions, including advertising. Avoid copy or targeting that expresses a preference based on protected characteristics, and describe the property and the loan, not the ideal buyer.

8. Is the Equal Housing Lender or Opportunity statement present where required?

Lenders typically display the Equal Housing Lender logo or statement; agents and brokerages commonly display Equal Housing Opportunity. Follow your company’s policy.

9. Is the page accessible?

Forms need labelled fields, visible focus, error messages that explain the fix, and enough contrast. Accessibility is both good practice and a legal exposure under the ADA. Test with a keyboard and on a phone.

10. Who signed it off?

Record who reviewed the page and when. When you change rates in copy, examples or disclaimers, review again.

A copy-and-paste starter (have it reviewed)

Results are estimates for illustration only and are not a loan offer, commitment or Loan Estimate. Actual rates, payments and terms depend on credit, property, program and underwriting approval. [Company], NMLS #[ID]. Equal Housing Lender.

Adapt it with your compliance officer. For how the rest of the page should be structured, see where to put a mortgage calculator.

This article is general information, not legal advice.