Public Comments on the Mortgage Closing Process are Due Feb. 7. Early in January, the CFPB solicited consumer comments on the mortgage closing process, specifically asking consumers to identify the key pain points associated with mortgage closing and how they might by addressed by market innovations and technology. The bureau specifically said it wanted comments on how to increase the use of technology and promote inventions that encourage a more streamlined mortgage closing process while also improving consumer knowledge. The CFPB...
With the recent data breach at the Target national retail chain and the disclosures about the National Security Administration by whistleblower Edward Snowden still fresh in mind, House Republicans are pressing the CFPB over the integrity and security of its various database initiatives. Rep. Ed Royce, R-CA, took issue in particular with the national mortgage database project the CFPB is engaged in, along with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the regulator of housing finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. I think you...
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader has spent years demanding satisfaction for GSE shareholders from the Obama administration, regulators and members of Congress.
American Advisors Group, whose spokesman is former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, R-TN, led with $1.05 billion in reverse mortgage originations and a 9 percent market share.
Total FHA delinquencies rose slightly while the percentage of seriously delinquent loans remained flat in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to an Inside FHA Lending analysis of FHA servicing data. Data showed delinquencies of 90 days or more remained unchanged at 8.1 percent from the previous quarter even as total FHA delinquencies increased a bit to 15.2 percent from 15.1 quarter over quarter. The share of loans that are 30-60 days behind on their payment also increased to 7.1 percent from 6.9 percent over the same period. As of Dec. 31, FHA servicers had a combined ... [1 chart]
VA Lenders Compliance with CFPBs Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgage Rules. Until the Department of Veterans Affairs rule on ATR/QM is in place, all VA lenders must comply with the requirements of the Truth in Lending Act, as established by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus ATR/QM rule, according to a recent agency guideline. VA will continue to guarantee all loans made in compliance with existing VA requirements, regardless of their QM status, the agency clarified. It urged lenders to refer to the CFPB guidance to ensure all their VA loans are ...
Ginnie Mae is considering lengthening the approval time for transfers of mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) to 90 days or more from the current 30 days but has yet to issue guidance. The agency alerted sellers of MSRs and their investment banking advisors of the forthcoming change in late November at an education summit in Washington, according to a participant, who preferred anonymity. New and existing issuers participated in the event, and a copy of Ginnie Maes presentation was provided to Inside Mortgage Finance, an affiliated publication. Ginnie Mae declined to comment on the report. However, according to the presentation, the reason for ...
The Senate this week passed bipartisan legislation that would delay unforeseen, excessive flood-insurance premium hikes for FHA and conventional mortgages nationwide. S. 1926, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, passed by a vote of 67 to 32, as amended. Introduced by Sens. Robert Menendez, D-NJ, and Johnny Isakson, R-GA, the bill would delay rate increases for up to four years by giving the Federal Emergency Management Agency time to study the problem and develop a plan to help homeowners who cannot afford higher premiums. The increases were mandated by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, which Congress ...