In its statement announcing the settlement, BofA stressed, “The claims relate primarily to conduct that occurred at Countrywide and Merrill Lynch prior to Bank of America's acquisition of those entities.”
Among the banks reporting that the rules had no effect on their approval rates, half indicated that lending policies would have been tighter without the safe harbor for mortgages that pass the GSEs’ automated underwriting models.
A big deal or ho-hum: Fannie Mae in late July said it will allow for shorter waiting periods involving mortgage debt charge-off accounts and mortgage debt that is discharged through a bankruptcy.
SIFMA's call for higher guaranty fees might sound like heresy in the mortgage industry, but the trade group clearly wants the non-agency market to revive.