Freddie Mac continued to report significantly more repurchase activity in the first quarter of 2020 and the pipeline of unresolved claims was up from the end of 2019. (Includes two data charts.)
The GSEs’ showing in the first quarter only reflects one full month of the impact of the coronavirus crisis. As potentially millions more homeowners stop paying their mortgages, the enterprises face the prospect of an even more challenging second quarter. (Includes data chart.)
Freddie Mac believes the market for credit-risk transfers may never return to pre-COVID levels because of the potential impact of the pandemic on mortgage performance.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in an interview late Thursday that the Trump administration has no plans to fund a Federal Reserve facility to finance servicer advances.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that unless Fannie or Freddie comes to the rescue of investors, certain pre-2015 CRT deals will sustain losses as millions of borrowers accept mortgage forbearance plans.
The only rule explicitly stated by the GSEs is “forbearance does not mean payments are forgiven.” Meanwhile, the FHFA and CFPB have joined hands to protect consumers from fraudulent forbearance activities.
In an effort to support the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, mandated use of the redesigned Uniform Residential Loan Application is now scheduled for March 1, 2021.