Although the share of Ginnie Mae loans in forbearance decreased to 1.28% in February from 1.37% the prior month, there are still concerns about FHA/VA loan performance.

The Center for Responsible Lending and the American Enterprise Institute want FHA and VA to implement measures to discourage harmful cash-out refinancings.

Federal housing agencies will continue to collaborate on loss-mitigation options following their teamwork when responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Urban Institute has called on federal housing agencies to accommodate automated valuation models as their starting points, with human appraisers checking the accuracy of the data as a back-up.

Only 23 lenders made streamlined VA refinance loans during the fourth quarter of 2022 as high interest rates have made the program nearly useless for veterans.

One of the keys for lenders facing financial difficulties is to communicate early and often with Ginnie Mae, according to the agency’s chief risk officer.

The VA is adding a step to its appraisal bias detection procedures. Meanwhile, the National Association of Realtors told the agency not to rush its appraisal modernization efforts.

Looser pooling requirements for delivering reperforming loans to Ginnie; FHA revises policy handbook; FHA updates instructions for use of GSE model forms; FHA hiring; VA revises various forms; VA offers loan review API; CHLA calls for permanent PTAP; RHS proposes loosening loss-mitigation standards.

Proposed updates to rules governing VA interest rate reduction refinance loans drew asks from VA lenders and trade groups around loosening eligibility requirements for borrowers to maintain access to the product. (Includes data chart.)

A proposal to streamline servicing and claim requirements for FHA mortgages is in the works, along with expanded loss-mitigation options for VA servicers. VA also plans to issue a final rule on cash-out refis.