Which fee may be charged before the applicant has received the required early disclosures according to MDIA?

The correct choice is the credit report fee, which can be charged before the applicant has received the required early disclosures according to the Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act (MDIA). The MDIA was enacted to enhance the protection of consumers in the mortgage process by ensuring that they receive timely and clear information about their loan terms and associated costs.

Under MDIA guidelines, certain fees are categorized as fees that can be collected prior to providing early disclosures. The credit report fee is one of those, as it is necessary for the lender to evaluate the creditworthiness of the borrower in the initial stages of the mortgage process. This fee is typically incurred in order to pull the applicant's credit report, which is a standard procedure before the formal loan application process progresses.

Other fees, such as processing fees, appraisal fees, and inspection fees, are generally considered "settlement service" costs that cannot be imposed until after the borrower has received the necessary early disclosures. This restriction is in place to ensure transparency and allows the borrower to understand the potential costs associated with the mortgage before any non-refundable fees are paid.