The Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program is pressing the Treasury Department to focus on servicer actions as part of efforts to reduce re-default rates in the Home Affordable Modification Program. The Treasury has pushed back against the suggestions, stating that it is “always looking to improve the program.” In a report published last week, the SIGTARP said HAMP mods have re-defaulted at an “alarming” rate. As of the end of April, the re-default rate on HAMP mods completed in 2009 was 46 percent and the re-default rate for HAMP mods completed in 2010 was 38 percent. “While HAMP has helped...

Richmond, CA, is set to become the first city to implement the highly controversial eminent domain plan offered by Mortgage Resolution Partners.

The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs approved S.1376, the FHA Solvency Act of 2013, on a vote of 20-to-1.

Credit Suisse issued a non-agency jumbo MBS with loans seasoned an average of three months that had interest rates well below current rates.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency withdrew a proposed rule it was forced to issue regarding Property Assessed Clean Energy programs after prevailing in court.

The Senate won't vote on the nomination of Rep. Mel Watt, D-NC, for director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, before leaving for its August recess.

Everbank is closing its wholesale business with mortgage brokers.

Mortgage production volume remained steady in the second quarter amid a growing purchase-mortgage market.

A Fannie SVP noted that the GSE's whole-loan conduit allowed 1,100 lenders to deliver loans to Fannie for cash in 2012.

The Senate appears likely to vote on a number of mortgage-related issues this week.