Mortgage lenders want the CFPB to exempt single-family residential construction loans from the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act / Truth in Lending Act Integrated Disclosure Rule. The TRID rule implemented by former Director Richard Cordray expressly applies to most construction loans that are secured, closed-end consumer credit transactions. Such loans are subject to the same extensive cost and term TRID disclosures as permanent purchase ...
Two public interest groups recently asked the CFPB’s inspector general to open an investigation into Acting Director Mick Mulvaney’s relationship with the payday lending industry. Americans for Financial Reform and Change to Win requested the IG, Mark Bialek, investigate whether Mulvaney has violated ethics regulations governing the conduct of executive branch employees by giving preferential treatment to the payday lending industry. Americans for Financial Reform ...
The Federal Reserve Board recently reminded banks that redlining remains a compliance concern for the central bank. Redlining is a form of illegal discrimination in which a financial services institution provides unequal access to credit in certain markets based on the race, color or national origin of its residents. The CFPB in the past has brought several public enforcement actions for redlining. The Fed released its Consumer Compliance Supervision Bulletin ...
The CFPB recently announced plans to create a “regulatory sandbox” to encourage consumer-friendly innovation in financial services. The mortgage industry sees it as an opportunity to enhance the emerging niche of loans that fall outside the qualified mortgage standard. “I’m optimistic,” said Justin Wiseman, an associate vice president at the Mortgage Bankers Association. “I think [the plan is] broadly beneficial across the mortgage market … one area that might ...
House Bill Would Strengthen Online Credit Card Disclosures. Rep. David Price, D-NC, recently introduced the Online Credit Card Disclosure Act, legislation which would require credit card companies to inform consumers about the risks associated with minimum debt payments by regularly publishing clear, personalized pay-down disclosures online, including websites and mobile apps. “As more and more Americans handle their financial affairs [Includes three briefs] ...
The White House, according to industry insiders, has formed a small search team to help pick a successor to Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt, whose tenure at the agency is imperiled because of recent sexual harassment allegations levied against him by an employee.Watt’s five-year term is scheduled to end in early January 2019, but it’s possible he might be forced from the position much sooner or decide to step down on his own. The 72-year-old regulator – a former Democratic Congressman from North Carolina – has declined to discuss the matter, but issued a statement through the FHFA’s public relations department saying he’s “confident that the investigation currently in progress will ...
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have the Treasury Department’s support when it comes to appraisal waivers, according to a newly published report this week from the Treasury on nonbank financials, fintech and innovation. A portion of the report focused on updating activity-specific regulations under the realm of lending and servicing. Treasury explained that it supports the GSEs’ efforts to implement standardized appraisal reporting, their adoption of proprietary electronic portals to submit appraisal forms and the GSEs’ limited adoption of appraisal waivers. The report acknowledged concerns from the appraisal industry but touted the benefits of using the waivers. “While Treasury acknowledges that
Capital Proposed Rule Comment Period Extended to November. The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced this week that it is extending the public comment period for the agency's proposed rule on Enterprise Capital Requirements by an additional 60 days. The previous deadline for comments was Sept. 17, 2018. The new deadline will be Nov. 16, 2018. FHFA extended the public comment period “due to the high level of interest in the proposed rule and requests from multiple stakeholders for more time to evaluate it.” GSE shareholders group Investors Unite, said, “However complex capital standards are, professionals who dwell in this policy area every day should be able to offer their views within a three-month window.”