The amended consent process that led to faster cash payouts to victims of improper loan modifications and foreclosure practices should be evaluated and tested further to ensure servicers’ implementation of foreclosure prevention principles, according to the Government Accountability Office. The new GAO report represents the third and final phase of the watchdog’s examination of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s Independent Foreclosure Review (IFR) process. In 2013, the IFR was replaced for most servicers with cash payments and foreclosure prevention actions. The latest report found...
The most significant bill up for debate Wednesday is the Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act, introduced by Rep. Andy Barr, R-KY, which would deem all loans held in portfolio to be qualified mortgages under the CFPB’s ability-to-repay rule.
“We’re well into this year’s home-buying season and too many potential buyers and sellers are sitting on the sidelines because they’re afraid they can’t qualify for a home loan before they’ve looked into it,” said loanDepot's Dave Norris.
Before joining the FHFA in late 2011, Hornsby spent 26 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the last 10 under Janet Yellen, who is now the nation’s central banker.
CSP watchers say the GSE platform is starting to look like an orphan under director Mel Watt. But will Watt mention the project in his first public speech next week?
Freddie CEO Don Layton warns that staffers “at all levels” would flee the secondary market giant amid the five-year transition period, citing several provisions of the bill that are detrimental to employees.
Beginning in December, the FHFA directly stepped into the MSR sales market, requiring its approval on all Fannie/Freddie transfers involving 5,000 loans or more. This additional level of approval initially caused concern in the market because it added another layer of oversight to sales.
Based on what Freddie's Layton said, one might think that going forward, the GSEs might barely break even. Maybe that’s why the GSEs – and not necessarily Mel Watt – want to hike their guaranty fees…
Additional industry layoffs are likely in the months ahead. In the first quarter, all lenders originated just $235 billion in mortgages. It was the weakest production quarter in 14 years.