Cart

Inside Mortgage Finance

July 21, 2016

View Archived Issues

Nonbanks Continue Growing Their Share of Agency Servicing Market in 2Q16, Ginnie Passes Freddie

Ginnie Mae edged past Freddie Mac in servicing outstanding on single-family mortgages tied to mortgage-backed securities during the second quarter of 2016, according to a new ranking and analysis by Inside Mortgage Finance. MBS disclosure reports show the supply of Ginnie mortgage servicing rights grew 2.1 percent during the second quarter, climbing to $1.576 trillion, excluding multifamily and reverse mortgage MBS. The supply of Freddie single-family servicing edged up just 0.4 percent from March, reaching $1.558 trillion and slipping to third in the agency MSR market. Fannie Mae single-family MSR servicing declined...[Includes two data tables] Read More

With CFPB Mortgage Servicing Amendments Expected Shortly, Industry Braces for Compliance

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau any day now could release its long-awaited regulation finalizing its proposed amendments to its 2013 mortgage servicing rules, posing yet another compliance challenge and requiring one more round of systems upgrades from the industry as a result. According to a consensus of industry experts, the two biggest subject areas have to do with bankruptcy proceedings and successors in interest. “On the eve of the servicing rules taking effect, the bureau made... Read More

Realtors Say FHA Loans and GSE Low-Downpayment Programs Seen as Readily Available for Homebuyers

While some banks have reduced their FHA lending in recent years and alternatives from the government-sponsored enterprises are still gaining traction, homebuyers still have access to low-downpayment mortgage programs, according to the latest Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance HousingPulse Tracking Survey. “Most real estate agents say high loan-to-value ratio mortgages are readily available, especially for homebuyers with good credit,” said Tom Popik, research director for Campbell Surveys. The HousingPulse survey covering activity in June included... Read More

GAO Lists Possible Barriers Preventing Wider Use of Private Flood Insurance, Regulatory and Competition Concerns

The Government Accountability Office said regulatory uncertainty and other barriers may inhibit the use of private flood insurance. The Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act, H.R. 2901, which passed the House unanimously in April, expands flood insurance options by including private flood insurance. The bill also lifts certain federal restrictions placed on insurance companies and gives states more flexibility to license and regulate private flood insurance. The GAO reported... Read More

Senate Unanimously Approves FHA Condominium Bill, But Industry Interest is on HUD Condo Reform Guidelines

The U.S. Senate last week passed legislation easing FHA rules on condominium financing even as condo reform rules are undergoing clearance at the Office of Management and Budget. H.R. 3700, the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016, was approved by unanimous consent. The bill passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 427-0 back in February. Industry observers say the bill would essentially codify long-anticipated guidelines the Department of Housing and Urban Development has drafted. Among other things, the bill requires... Read More

State Court Ruling Sets Precedent Against Servicers’ Practice of Changing Locks Before Foreclosure

A recent ruling by the Washington State Supreme Court goes against servicers’ practice of changing the lock on a property before a foreclosure. While such practices are generally allowed under mortgage contracts and have been approved by other states, the Washington state court ruling is favorable to 3,600 borrowers in a class-action lawsuit and could cause further issues for servicers. Laura Jordan v. Nationstar Mortgage centered on Nationstar’s actions after the borrower defaulted on her mortgage. A vendor acting on behalf of Nationstar inspected the property, deemed it to be vacant and changed the lock on the front door. The vendor also left a lockbox on the door with the key to the new lock and the borrower was provided access to the key. Jordan represents... Read More

Small Banks and Nonbanks Applaud H.R. 5907, Seek Relief from Increased Regulatory Oversight

Smaller banks and nonbanks are rallying behind legislation recently introduced to relieve community mortgage lenders from some of the scrutiny placed on larger banks. Rep. Roger Williams, R-TX, authored H.R. 5907, the Community Mortgage Lenders Regulatory Act of 2016, and emphasized that community mortgage lenders engaged in traditional mortgage lending were not responsible for the recent mortgage crisis. Scott Olson, director of the Community Home Lenders Association, told... Read More

FHA to Insure Certain Mortgages with PACE Liens; MBA, California Realtors Dissatisfied with Guidelines

The FHA this week clarified its policy on insuring mortgages with PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) senior tax liens to make it easier for borrowers to obtain FHA financing for such mortgages, but the mortgage and real estate industries continue to have concerns. The new guidelines address state programs where the PACE obligation is treated like a property tax with priority over an FHA lien. The program provides financing for home-energy improvements and water conservation, and is repaid through an assessment added to the property’s tax bill. The guidelines are designed... Read More

Latest Imf News

More Imf News

Featured Data

More Featured Data

Featured Reports

More Latest Reports

Featured Poll

As homeowner equity continues to build, more and more lenders are launching home equity lending products. Are you thinking of joining this market?

View Results