The FHA has a number of rulemakings in the regulatory pipeline and other policy topics related to mortgage origination and servicing, all lined for action in the fall. The program changes are geared towards FHA single-family priorities, such as expanding first-time homebuyers’ and underserved creditworthy borrowers’ access to credit, ensuring the long-term viability of FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund and making it easier to do business with the FHA. Agency data show that, as of July 31, 2015, first-time homebuyers accounted for 82 percent of FHA purchase loans compared to 72 percent in the prior year. FHA officials attributed the surge in purchase loans to the half percentage point reduction in the annual mortgage insurance premium, which they translated into a yearly savings of $900 for a household with an average mortgage-loan size of $180,000. On Sept. 15, the ...
Mortgage loans with a Section 502 guarantee are a great deal for first-time homebuyers in rural areas, said Michelle Corridon, deputy director of the Single Family Housing - Guaranteed Loan Division with the U.S. Department of Agricultures’ Rural Development. No downpayment is required on a 30-year fixed-rate, USDA-backed mortgage loan, Corridon noted. Loan closing is fast because closing is fully automated, she added. Approximately 99 percent of USDA lenders are using paperless, automated loan closing, for which they pay a certain fee. Loan-note guarantee is also available online. USDA loans are typically purchase transactions. Of these, 85 percent are first-time homebuyers. There are few refinances, Corridon noted. Approximately 10 percent of purchase loans are for new construction. The product caters to low- and moderate-income households in ...
The FHA has revised the required time frame for mortgagees to submit the original promissory note associated with a partial claim and laid out the penalties for noncompliance. The guidance became effective on Sept. 1, 2015. On the same day, The Department of Housing and Urban Development issued letters demanding full reimbursement of all amounts associated with overdue partial-claim documents after Sept. 1. The guidance also reminded lenders of the procedures for preparing and submitting partial-claim documents to HUD’s loan-servicing contractor. Proper recordation and submission of partial-claim documentation will ensure HUD’s interest is protected, according to the guidance. Currently, FHA has a high volume of missing partial-claim documents due to lenders’ failure to follow rules for recording and submitting security instruments. The revised guidance also contains directions for executing partial-claim docs and reconciling ...
One source, angered by Cordray's comments, said, "No, Mr. Director. Those concerns have eliminated non-QM loans, which come with protection against frivolous lawsuits. That’s why no one except a perfect borrower can get a loan…”
With loan quality and real estate values continuing their rapid improvement over the past two years, the market value of “high-touch” servicers continues to head south and a handful of such firms are pondering sales. According to advisors that ply their trade in the mergers and acquisitions circuit, at the top of the “for sale” list is the IBM-owned Seterus, which at one point had at least $40 billion in problem Fannie Mae-related loans on its system. But will IBM – which also has its hands in the origination technology arena – finally pull...
Officials at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Reserve have gone on the offensive to refute claims from lenders and their advocates regarding the ability-to-repay rule. At a hearing this week by the House Financial Services Committee, CFPB Director Richard Cordray noted that he recently met with the CEOs of the top 40 mortgage companies as part of an event hosted by the Mortgage Bankers Association. Cordray said the CEOs revealed that none of the lenders have faced lawsuits alleging violations of standards for qualified mortgages. “All this foaming at the mouth about legal liability did not...[Includes one data table]
Ginnie Mae executive Michael Drayne raised concerns about the growing reliance on subservicers and whether there’s enough capacity at these companies...
David Lykken, managing partner of Transformational Mortgage Solutions, said he welcomes PIMCO’s investment, believing that it’s a huge positive for the industry.
The congressman said the decision to sell thousands of loans at a time at sharp discounts to the highest bidder “continues to enrich Wall Street at the expense of neighborhoods and community-based organizations.”