Industry observers expect that last week’s announced go-ahead to merge the Federal Home Loan Banks of Des Moines and Seattle will be a “one-off” as the remaining 10 FHLBanks are still in sound enough financial shape. Talk of a proposed merger between the FHLBank of Des Moines and the smaller, troubled FHLBank of Seattle was first made public in July and approved unanimously by both Bank boards last week.
FHFA Principal Reduction Pilot Program. A bill filed by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-NJ, before Congress left town last month would create a shared-appreciation mortgage program in which banks would reduce the mortgage principal for eligible underwater homeowners. Under the Preserving American Homeownership Act, S. 2854, the pilot programs – to be established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the FHA – would entitle banks to a portion of the increased value of the home when the market improves.
Ginnie Mae is taking a closer look at change-of-control applications from issuers and servicers, according to investment banking advisors who work in mortgage industry mergers and acquisitions. “Ginnie is toughening up the change-of-control process to keep folks who got their tickets – and don’t use them – from trying to increase the value of their company in an M&A situation,” said one advisor who represents clients before the agency. He noted...
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