FHFA: Modifications Announced to High LTV Streamlined Refinance Program and Extension of HARP through December 2018
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced modifications to the streamlined refinance program for borrowers with high loan-to-value (LTV) ratios. On August 25, 2016, FHFA announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) would implement a High LTV Streamlined Refinance program to provide much-needed liquidity for borrowers who are current on their mortgage…
Federal Reserve: The Effect of Interest Rates on Home Buying
The Effect of Interest Rates on Home Buying: Evidence from a Discontinuity in Mortgage Insurance Premiums (PDF) Neil Bhutta and Daniel Ringo We study the effect of interest rates on the housing market by taking advantage of a sudden and unexpected price change in a large government mortgage program. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insures…
CDFI Fund: More than $18.6 Million in Bank Enterprise Awards Announced for Investment in Low-Income Communities
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) announced more than $18.6 million in awards to 102 FDIC-insured financial institutions serving economically distressed communities across the nation. These funds, awarded under the fiscal year (FY) 2016 round of the Bank Enterprise Award Program (BEA Program), will support community and…
CFPB: Too Many Student Loan Borrowers Struggling, Not Enough Benefitting from Affordable Repayment Options
For five years, we’ve heard from borrowers like you about the problems you encounter when repaying student debt, particularly when you run into trouble and need help finding a way to make ends meet. Today, we released a new report showing how student loan repayment has changed over the last 15 years. In our report,…
ABA: Foundation Seeking Banks to Host 8th Annual Lights, Camera, Save! Video Contest
WASHINGTON — The American Bankers Association Foundation is urging local banks to participate in its Lights, Camera, Save! video contest. Lights, Camera, Save! is a national contest that encourages teens to use video to communicate the value of sound money management. Through Lights, Camera, Save!, teen participants will create up to a 90-second video that…
SBA: Grants Awarded to 21 State and Local Economic Development Entities, SBDCs, and Universities to Support R&D Commercialization and Small Business Innovation
The U.S. Small Business Administration has granted up to $125,000 awards in FY 2017 to 16 Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program recipients including state and local economic development entities, small business development centers, colleges and universities and up to $200,000 awards to five Small Business Technology Development Centers (SBTDCs) that provide support to…
CDFI Fund: Call for Affordable Housing Finance Practitioners by August 18th
The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) is issuing a call for well-qualified persons to serve as application reviewers for the fiscal year (FY) 2017 application round of the Capital Magnet Fund (CMF). The CDFI Fund has contracted with F2 Solutions to recruit reviewers. Recruitment will be conducted by F2 Solutions on a rolling…
HUD: Anna Maria Farias Sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
WASHINGTON – Texas native Anna Maria Farías is the new Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Following her confirmation last week by the U.S. Senate, HUD Secretary Ben Carson today administered the oath of office to Farías who will now lead the Department’s…
HUD: “Worst Case Housing Needs” Increased in 2015
8.3 million households paid more than half their income for rent or lived in substandard housing WASHINGTON – The number of very poor unsubsidized families struggling to pay their monthly rent and who may also be living in substandard housing increased between 2013 and 2015, according to a new report released today by the U.S….
FHFA: Deputy Director of Division of Federal Home Loan Bank Regulation Announced
Washington, D.C. – Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Melvin L. Watt today announced the appointment of Andre D. Galeano to the position of Deputy Director of the Division of Federal Home Loan Bank Regulation. Galeano will oversee the regulation and supervision of the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks). Galeano succeeds Fred Graham, who announced…