A loan can be secured with a down payment in the wife’s name, but this depends on state laws, lender policies, and the loan structure. For example, if the wife independently contributes funds as a down payment on a property, the lender may accept her asset as collateral. However, in community property states, martial assets are jointly owned, potentially complicating the process unless the wife’s contribution is legally separated. Lenders typically prefer collateral tied to the primary borrower to mitigate risk.

Legally, marital assets are treated differently across states. In community property states (e.g., California, Texas), each spouse owns 50% of jointly acquired assets, so a down payment in the wife’s name might require documentation to prove it is separate. Non-community property states (e.g., New York, Florida) generally treat martial assets as individually owned unless specified otherwise. According to the Federal Reserve’s 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances, 62% of married couples with mortgages use joint assets for collateral, highlighting the importance of clear ownership documentation.

Practically, lenders may require the primary borrower to have sufficient income or assets to qualify. If the wife’s down payment is the sole collateral, the loan-to-value ratio (LTV) must align with lender standards. Data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) shows that 45% of rejected mortgage applications involve insufficient collateral, emphasizing the need for robust asset verification. Additionally, defaulting on a loan secured by the wife’s asset could harm her credit score independently, even if the loan is in the husband’s name. Thus, while possible, structuring such a loan demands meticulous legal and financial coordination to avoid disputes or regulatory issues.