Setting aside the 25-basis-point FHA premium reduction is a good idea because it would not have done much to expand access to credit anyway, according to researchers at the Urban Institute. In a recent analysis, Laurie Goodman, co-director of UI’s Housing Finance Policy Center, and research associate Bing Bai took a closer look at the FHA pricing adjustment and found that the impact on the market would have been small.The researchers concluded that retaining the current pricing for FHA-insured mortgages would help strengthen the FHA’s financial situation and allow the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund to build its buffer. As one of his final official acts as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Julian Castro announced a 25-basis-point MIP reduction for most FHA single-family mortgages. The fee change was to take effect on Jan. 27, 2017. Just hours after ...

The Department of Veterans Administration has issued guidance to clarify its new policy regarding student loans in underwriting VA guaranteed home loans. Specifically, the guidance shows lenders how to calculate a student-loan monthly payment when figuring out a VA borrower’s ability to repay. The clarification in the guidance applies to deferred student loans and the new policy will provide guidance for student loans currently in repayment or about to begin repayment within 12 months of a VA loan closing. How should a lender calculate a student loan monthly payment for loan underwriting purposes? A monthly payment need not be considered if the borrower provides written proof that the student loan will be deferred at least 12 months beyond the closing date, the guidance said. If a student loan is under a repayment plan or is about to begin repayment, the lender must consider the anticipated monthly payment in the ...

Final Civil Action: Primary Residential Mortgage. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of the Inspector General has recommended that the department’s Office of Legal Counsel acknowledged $3.13 million of a $5 million settlement agreed to by Primary Residential Mortgage is due HUD. Primary agreed last September to a $5 million settlement with the Department of Justice to resolve allegations of failing to comply with FHA requirements in connection with its origination, underwriting and endorsement of 100 FHA-insured loans. Primary’s settlement is neither an admission of guilt nor assumption of any liability that may arise from the flawed transactions, the IG said. As of Oct. 4, 2016, the settlement amount due HUD had been paid in full. Moody’s Downgrades $243 Million of FHA/VA Residential MBS. Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the ...

During his career, Israel has worked for IndyMac Bank and other shops.

When it comes to cashing out of large blocks of GSE common stock, sellers face the ‘Roach Motel’ syndrome: investors check, but can’t necessarily check out…

The "Lost Sales Analysis" product – licensed from its developer, Equifax – helps originators determine if applicants closed a mortgage with a competitor.

Not only did Citigroup shock the market this week with its decision to exit residential servicing operations, but the move could be the start of an eventual withdrawal from all mortgage banking. For now, the nation’s sixth-largest servicer – and 13th-largest originator – is strongly refuting such talk, but that isn’t stopping the industry from speculating on the megabank’s next move. “If they firmly believe they can’t make money in servicing and cross-selling, then this is...

Further, the lawmakers’ motion is untimely and fails to meet the standard for intervention, the lender argues in its filing.

In many cases, the fourth quarter drop was due to poor performance on servicing hedges.

Fairholme: “Only the disingenuous would assert that recapitalization of these companies would take decades and come at taxpayers’ expense…”