The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed rules thatwould dictate to mortgage lenders the type of loans they would berequired to make available to borrowers, in an effort to helpconsumers more easily compare loan offers.

The proposed rules, on which the CFPB is seeking comment throughOct. 16 and would finalize by January, would require lenders tomake available to borrowers a mortgage without discount points or origination points or fees,unless the borrower is unlikely to qualify for such a loan.

The no points or fees option would help consumers decide whetherthey would receive an adequate reduction in monthly loan paymentsin exchange for the choice of making upfront payments, the bureausaid Friday.