On January 4, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation announced its expectation, along with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Farm Credit Administration, and the National Credit Union Administration (the Agencies), that the system for federal registration of residential mortgage loan originators (MLOs) will begin operation on or around January 31. The Agencies’ rules implementing the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (S.A.F.E. Act) require MLOs to register with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry within 180 days of the date the Registry begins accepting federal registrations. The Agencies will confirm the opening date for federal registration closer to the actual date and will publish notice of that date in the Federal Register.