Legal Disclosures
Important legal information and regulatory disclosures for our platform. Review these disclosures to understand our compliance and operational standards.
Effective Date: December 15, 2025
Purpose of This Document
This Disclosures page contains important legal notices, disclaimers, and disclosures that apply to your use of Ratespedia's website and services. These disclosures provide essential information about the nature of our services, limitations of our content, regulatory compliance, and other matters you should understand before using our platform. Please read these disclosures carefully in conjunction with our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
General Information Disclosure
Nature of Services
Ratespedia operates as an informational platform and comparison service that provides users with access to financial rate information, educational content, tools, and resources related to loans, mortgages, credit products, and other financial services. We are not a lender, broker, financial institution, or credit provider.
Important Understanding
Ratespedia serves as an informational intermediary connecting users with potential service providers. We do not:
- Provide financial advice, credit counseling, or legal advice
- Make lending decisions or approve/deny loan applications
- Guarantee that you will be approved for any financial product or service
- Guarantee specific rates, terms, or offers from third-party providers
- Act as your agent, representative, or fiduciary
- Endorse any specific lender, financial institution, or service provider
Educational and Informational Purposes Only
All content, information, tools, calculators, rate displays, and resources provided on our website are for general educational and informational purposes only. This information should not be construed as:
- Professional financial, legal, tax, or investment advice
- Personalized recommendations specific to your individual circumstances
- An offer or solicitation to enter into any financial transaction
- A guarantee of any particular outcome or result
- Comprehensive or exhaustive information on any particular topic
You should consult with qualified financial advisors, attorneys, tax professionals, or other appropriate experts before making any financial decisions or entering into any financial agreements or transactions.
Financial Information Disclaimers
Rate Information Accuracy
While we make reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of rate information displayed on our platform, rates are subject to constant change and may vary based on numerous factors. Rate information displayed on our website:
- Is provided by third-party sources and may not reflect current, real-time rates
- May be delayed, incomplete, or inaccurate due to technical issues or data transmission errors
- Represents advertised rates that may not be available to all consumers
- May be based on assumptions that do not match your specific situation
- Should be independently verified with the relevant financial institution or service provider
- Does not constitute a rate quote, rate lock, or binding offer
Actual rates offered to you may differ significantly from advertised rates based on your credit profile, income, assets, loan amount, property characteristics, and other underwriting factors.
Product Information & Terms
Product descriptions, terms, fees, and features displayed on our platform are provided for comparison and informational purposes. This information:
- May be simplified or summarized and not include all terms and conditions
- Should be verified directly with the product provider before making decisions
- May change without notice as providers update their offerings
- May not reflect special promotions, limited-time offers, or regional variations
- Does not constitute the complete or official product documentation
Calculator & Tool Disclaimers
Financial calculators, estimators, and comparison tools provided on our website are simplified models intended for general educational purposes only. These tools:
- Use assumptions and estimates that may not reflect your actual circumstances
- Provide approximate results that should not be relied upon for making financial decisions
- May not account for all relevant factors, fees, taxes, or variables
- Should not replace professional financial analysis or advice
- May produce results that differ from actual loan terms or financial outcomes
Always verify calculator results with qualified professionals and official documentation from financial institutions.
Advertising & Marketing Disclosures
Advertising Relationships
Ratespedia may receive compensation from some or all of the financial service providers, lenders, and companies whose products and services are featured on our website. This compensation may influence:
- Which companies and products are featured or displayed on our website
- The order or prominence in which companies and products appear
- The information and content we publish about particular companies or products
- Whether a company's products are included in comparison tools or tables
Types of Compensation
We may receive compensation in various forms, including but not limited to:
- Lead Generation Fees: Payment when we refer a user to a service provider
- Commission Payments: Percentage-based compensation when a user completes a transaction
- Flat Fees: Fixed payments for featuring a provider's products or services
- Click-Through Payments: Compensation based on user clicks to partner websites
- Advertising Revenue: Display advertising and sponsored content placements
- Performance Bonuses: Additional compensation based on volume or quality metrics
Editorial Independence
While we receive compensation from partners, we strive to maintain editorial integrity and provide objective, useful information to our users. However, you should be aware that:
- Compensation arrangements may create conflicts of interest
- Not all available products, providers, or rates in the market are displayed on our website
- Featured products may not be the best fit for your specific needs
- Lower-cost or better-suited products may be available from non-featured providers
We encourage you to research and compare multiple options independently before making financial decisions.
Sponsored Content Disclosure
Some content on our website may be sponsored, paid for, or provided by third parties. Sponsored content will be clearly labeled as such. However, all content, whether sponsored or not, is subject to our editorial standards and policies.
Third-Party Relationships & Referrals
Third-Party Service Providers
When you submit information through our website, request quotes, or express interest in products or services, you may be connected with or referred to third-party lenders, financial institutions, brokers, or service providers. Important considerations:
- We do not control and are not responsible for third-party websites, services, practices, or policies
- Third parties operate independently and may have their own terms, conditions, fees, and privacy practices
- Information you provide to third parties is subject to their privacy policies, not ours
- We do not guarantee the quality, reliability, or performance of third-party services
- Third parties may contact you via phone, email, text message, or other means based on your inquiry
- You may be contacted by multiple third parties in response to a single inquiry
Your Relationship with Third Parties
Any agreements, transactions, or relationships you enter into with third-party providers are solely between you and those providers. Ratespedia is not a party to those agreements and assumes no liability for:
- Third-party actions, omissions, representations, or conduct
- Products or services provided by third parties
- Disputes between you and third-party providers
- Loss or damage arising from third-party relationships or transactions
- Third-party compliance with applicable laws and regulations
Regulatory & Compliance Disclosures
Licensing & Registration
Ratespedia is an informational service and is not required to be licensed as a mortgage lender, mortgage broker, or financial institution. However, third-party lenders and service providers featured on our platform may be subject to federal and state licensing requirements.
You should verify that any lender or service provider you work with is properly licensed and authorized to conduct business in your state.
Equal Credit Opportunity
Federal law prohibits discrimination in credit transactions. All lenders featured on our platform are required to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and Fair Housing Act, which prohibit discrimination based on:
- Race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age
- Receipt of public assistance income
- Exercise of rights under consumer credit protection laws
If you believe you have experienced discrimination, you may file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or the appropriate federal agency.
State-Specific Disclosures
Some states have specific disclosure requirements for mortgage and lending services. Important state-specific information:
- Certain products or services may not be available in all states
- Licensing requirements and consumer protections vary by state
- Interest rate caps, fees, and loan terms may be subject to state regulations
- Additional disclosures may be required at the state level
Please consult with licensed professionals in your state to understand applicable laws and requirements.
Consumer Protection Laws
Various federal and state consumer protection laws govern financial services, including:
- Truth in Lending Act (TILA): Requires disclosure of credit terms and costs
- Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA): Governs mortgage settlement practices
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Regulates collection and use of consumer credit information
- Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA): Requires financial institutions to protect consumer information
- Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA): Regulates telemarketing and automated calls/texts
Credit & Application Disclosures
Credit Inquiries & Credit Score Impact
When you submit a loan application or request for quotes through our platform or directly with lenders:
- Credit Checks: Lenders may perform credit checks, which could be either "soft pulls" (no impact on credit score) or "hard pulls" (may temporarily lower your credit score)
- Multiple Inquiries: Multiple hard credit inquiries within a short time period may negatively impact your credit score
- Shopping Period: Credit scoring models typically treat multiple mortgage inquiries within a 14-45 day period as a single inquiry when calculating your score
- Inquiry Type Disclosure: Lenders should disclose whether they will perform a soft or hard credit inquiry before you authorize it
We recommend asking lenders about their credit inquiry practices before authorizing credit checks.
No Guarantee of Approval
Submitting information through our platform or requesting quotes does not guarantee:
- That you will be approved for any loan, credit product, or service
- Specific loan terms, interest rates, or amounts
- That you will receive quotes or responses from any particular lender
- The number of lenders who may contact you or provide offers
Approval and terms are determined by individual lenders based on their underwriting criteria, your creditworthiness, and other factors.
Application Process
Information you provide through our inquiry forms may be shared with one or more potential lenders or service providers. These entities may:
- Contact you to complete a full loan application
- Request additional documentation and information
- Conduct their own credit and background checks
- Perform property appraisals or valuations
- Verify your income, employment, assets, and other information
Data Accuracy & Content Disclaimers
No Warranty of Accuracy
While we strive to provide accurate, current, and reliable information, we make no warranties or representations regarding:
- The accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any information, rates, terms, or content on our website
- The availability or functionality of our website, tools, or services
- The results obtained from using our calculators, tools, or comparison features
- The suitability of any products, services, or providers for your particular needs
Information on our website may contain inaccuracies, errors, omissions, or outdated content. We reserve the right to correct errors, update information, and make changes at any time without notice.
Third-Party Content
Our website may display content, information, advertisements, or links provided by third parties. We do not:
- Control or verify the accuracy of third-party content
- Endorse third-party statements, opinions, or recommendations
- Assume responsibility for third-party content or links
- Guarantee that third-party content is current or complete
Fees & Cost Disclosures
No Fees to Users
Ratespedia does not charge consumers any fees for using our website, accessing information, or submitting inquiries for quotes or services. Our service is free to users.
However, lenders and service providers may charge fees, costs, and expenses in connection with their products and services. These fees are set by the individual providers and are not controlled by Ratespedia.
Third-Party Fees & Costs
When working with lenders or service providers, you may be subject to various fees and costs, which may include:
- Application fees, origination fees, and processing fees
- Appraisal fees, inspection fees, and title fees
- Closing costs, settlement charges, and recording fees
- Interest charges, late fees, and prepayment penalties
- Third-party service fees (credit reports, flood certification, etc.)
You should carefully review all fee disclosures provided by lenders before committing to any financial product or service. Federal law requires lenders to provide detailed fee disclosures for mortgage transactions.
Limitation of Liability & Disclaimers
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, RATESPEDIA AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY:
- Inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated information displayed on our website
- Decisions you make based on information from our website
- Actions, omissions, or conduct of third-party lenders or service providers
- Terms, rates, fees, or conditions offered by third parties
- Denial of credit or unfavorable loan terms
- Financial losses, damages, or consequences arising from your use of our services
- Delays, interruptions, or errors in our website or services
Your use of our website and services is at your own risk. Please refer to our Terms of Use for complete limitation of liability provisions.
Technology & Accessibility
Website Functionality
Our website's functionality and features depend on various technologies, including JavaScript, cookies, and modern web browsers. Certain features may not work properly if you:
- Use outdated browsers or disable JavaScript
- Block cookies or use privacy-enhancing browser extensions
- Access our website through incompatible devices or connections
Accessibility Commitment
We are committed to making our website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. If you experience difficulty accessing any part of our website or require assistance, please contact us at accessibility@ratespedia.com.
Updates to These Disclosures
We may update these disclosures from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or business operations. When we make changes, we will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this page.
Material changes will be communicated through prominent notice on our website or other appropriate means. Your continued use of our website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated disclosures.
Contact Information & Complaints
If you have questions about these disclosures or wish to file a complaint, please contact us:
Regulatory Complaints
If you have complaints about third-party lenders or financial service providers, you may also contact:
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint
- Your State Attorney General's Office
- Your State Banking or Financial Services Regulator
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): For fraud or deceptive practices
Acknowledgment: By using Ratespedia's website and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these disclosures. These disclosures supplement and should be read in conjunction with our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Security Policy.
Last Updated: December 15, 2025