The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s planned review of the ability-to-repay rule prompted comment letters from trade groups representing various industry participants along with individual comment letters from JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. The big banks were critical of certain aspects of the ATR rule and requested changes that could increase originations of non-agency mortgages. “The ATR/qualified mortgage rule is not working as desired,” said Michael Weinbach, a ...
Legislation being pushed by Republicans in Congress would reduce appraisal requirements for a unique set of mortgages: those with balances of $250,000 or less that are held in portfolio for three years. Supporters of the legislation claim the carve-out will help first-time homebuyers and lenders in rural areas, while consumer advocates caution that the proposal could lead to practices similar to those that contributed to the financial crisis. H.R. 3221, the Securing Access to Affordable Mortgage Act ...
Citadel Servicing Corp. recently launched a one-month bank-statement program for self-employed borrowers. While some lenders offer bank-statement programs, borrowers are typically required to provide at least one year of documentation. Citadel stressed that deposits into the borrower’s bank account aren’t the determinant figure to verify income. “Income is attested to and declared [by the borrower], a Citadel underwriter will confirm that ... [Includes three briefs]
Simplifying and aligning the default servicing policies of the conventional conforming and the government-backed mortgage markets would better serve the mortgage industry and homeowners, according to industry experts. In a recent discussion on how regulatory burden and high servicing costs might impede lending, members of the Mortgage Servicing Collaborative agreed on the need for streamlined and harmonized federal, state and agency policies and rules on servicing. Increased regulatory requirements have caused mortgage-servicing costs to skyrocket in recent years, experts said. Even though the quality of servicing has improved, the new regulations are complex and costly, they noted. Multiple pressures placed upon servicers have suppressed mortgage lending, making it harder for borrowers with tainted credit to obtain a mortgage, according to the ...
Reverse mortgage lenders are asking FHA to clarify the applicability of state statutes of limitations on collections and foreclosures involving Home Equity Conversion Mortgage loans. In a comment letter to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association sought clarification to avoid any potential risk to the department and reverse mortgage lenders. Since federal agencies are not subject to state statutes of limitations, the NRMLA asked the FHA to confirm that HECM loans assigned to HUD are not covered by state statutes of limitations on collections and foreclosure. The trade group also requested FHA to clarify whether HECM regulations and program guidelines preempt any such state law. “Requiring mortgagees to assign loans to HUD and make certifications that such loans are and will be ...
Wells Fargo and PHH Mortgage have reached separate settlements with the Department of Justice and three other federal agencies to resolve alleged violations of the False Claims Act. The DOJ, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Housing Finance Agency will rake in $182 million from the settlement of lawsuits involving FHA and VA loans, as well as loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Wells Fargo denied the allegations in the whistleblower lawsuit but agreed to pay $108 million to resolve the claims. It admitted to no fault or liability. Filed in 2006 and unsealed in 2011, the lawsuit alleged that the bank overcharged veteran borrowers by masking ineligible fees in order to obtain VA guarantees on certain Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans, or streamlined refi mortgages. At the same time, Wells allegedly falsely certified to the VA that it ...
Ginnie Mae will not have an annual summit this year but has rescheduled it for January 2018, according to Ginnie Mae’s new spokesperson. Michael Huff, senior advisor, congressional and stakeholder relations, said a new administration and staff departures have caused organizers to reconsider having the annual Ginnie Mae Summit this year, usually held in October. The Trump administration has yet to announce a nominee for the top job at Ginnie Mae since former president Ted Tozer left in January. David Kittle is reportedly a leading contender, but there has been no official announcement or confirmation. So far, Kittle has declined to comment. Kittle is a mortgage industry veteran who began as a loan officer and now heads his own company. He also was a top executive with the Mortgage Bankers Association and managed, among other things, the group’s political action committee. In addition, Kittle co-founded the ...
Walter Investment Management Corp. is evaluating options for its reverse mortgage business, including the possibility of selling some or all of its assets or collaborating with third parties. WIMC’s reverse-mortgage segment has been adversely affected by the Department of Housing and Urban Developments new requirements, raising the need for additional working capital to finance Ginnie Mae buyouts, according to the company’s 10-Q disclosures. The company reported pre-tax losses of $93 million in the second quarter of 2017. The reverse-mortgage segment reported $16.5 million of pre-tax loss for the same period, following a pre-tax loss of $26.9 million in the prior year quarter. During the second quarter, WIMC’s reverse-mortgage business generated $15.4 million in revenue, down $0.7 million year-over-year. Cash generated by the origination, purchase and securitization of Home ...
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