The ATR rule requires that lenders make a reasonable and good faith determination of a borrower's ability to repay a loan. One way in which a lender can comply with the ATR rule is through a QM (of which there are three types: general, GSE-eligible and small creditor). A general QM requires a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of 43 percent or less. However, even when DTI is above the 43 percent threshold, a loan can still be a QM if it is a GSE-eligible loan. The "GSE patch" is an exception to the general QM standard, through which the 43 percent maximum DTI ratio does not apply to mortgage loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Still, this exception is currently set to expire on January 10, 2021. As this deadline is fast approaching, lenders are eager to gain some clarity on the future of the GSE patch, with many hoping the exception extends beyond the 2021 termination date.