Broad changes to federal bankruptcy forms that went into effect on Dec. 1, 2015, should help reduce the likelihood of a procedural challenge to mortgage lenders’ and servicers’ claims, according to attorneys with the law firm of Ballard Spahr. The revisions pertain specifically to proofs of claim for residential mortgage loans. Many of the alterations are technical or designed to modernize the forms, but a few of the changes affect the substance of the information and analysis ...
PHH Corp. and Nationstar Mortgage – both top 10 ranked residential servicers – recently filed to sell debt securities, an odd situation for two companies struggling with low share valuations amid a lack of confidence among both investors and stock analysts. The lender/servicers also have unveiled stock buyback programs, though such announcements usually represent a desire to do so, and not a contractual obligation. PHH’s Form S-3 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission offers...
A surge in sales of mortgage servicing rights by banks to nonbanks is likely over, according to industry analysts. As regulatory oversight remains a concern, the use of subservicing is expected to increase, with troubled loans handled by specialists. “The frequency of MSR transfers will remain low, even though buyer interest in MSR transfers may rise from 2015 levels,” according to analysts at Moody’s Investors Service. Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch added...