HUD: FHA Announces Temporary Guidance for Insuring Single Family Homes in Forebearance
Temporary policy provides FHA insurance safeguards for borrowers and lenders Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced a new, temporary policy that provides guidance for lenders to obtain FHA insurance endorsements on mortgages where the borrower has requested or obtained a COVID-19 forbearance. This policy will ensure that the safeguards of the FHA program continue to work…
CFPB: Consumer Actions for Relief from Credit Card Issuers During the Pandemic
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) today took action to help consumers receive relief during the pandemic more quickly from their credit card issuer. Regulation Z requires that creditors provide written disclosures to consumers for account-opening and temporary rate or fee reduction. During the pandemic, consumers may seek to open a new account or request…
OCC: Warning About Effects of COVID-19 “Lockdown” on Banking System
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Brian P. Brooks today expressed concerns about the effects of regional and local responses to COVID-19 on the federal banking system. In letters to the National League of Cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the National Association of Governors, the Acting Comptroller of the Currency urged mayors and governors…
ABA: Foundation Highlights Housing Relief Resources in Recognition of American Housing Month
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans have found themselves facing financial hardship and struggling to make monthly housing payments. While relief options are available to homeowners and renters alike, it can be difficult to know where to look for information. To help consumers navigate this challenging situation, and in recognition of…
ABA: Bank Economists See Recovery from Deep Recession Beginning in Third Quarter 2020
The U.S. economy will experience about a 6% contraction this year, but will begin to recover from a severe second-quarter downturn in the third quarter, according to the latest forecast of the American Bankers Association’s Economic Advisory Committee. While the group, made up of 16 chief economists from some of the North America’s largest banks,…
SBA: Treasury and SBA Announce $10 Billion for CDFIs to Participate in the Paycheck Protection Program
Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, announced that it is setting aside $10 billion of Round 2 funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to be lent exclusively by Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs work to expand economic opportunity in low-income communities by providing access to financial…
Interagency Joint FAQs on CRA Consideration for Activities in Response to the Coronaviurs
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have issued the attached Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on CRA consideration for activities in response to the Coronavirus Disease (referred to as COVID-19). This FAQ provides additional clarification of the information included…
ABA: Consumer, Banking Groups Applaud Bill to Exempt Economic Impact Payments from Garnishment
Consumer groups and banking industry organizations joined together today to support bipartisan legislation that would prevent Economic Impact Payments from being subject to garnishment. The following statement was issued today by the American Bankers Association, Bank Policy Institute, Consumer Bankers Association, The Clearing House, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low income clients),…
CFPB: Consumer Complaint Bulletin Issued for Complaints Received during COVID-19 Pandemic
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) today issued a report analyzing the complaints received during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bulletin shows that mortgage and credit card complaints top the list of complaints the Bureau has received that mention coronavirus or related terms. In April and May, the Bureau received historically higher complaints, however, complaints mentioning COVID-related…
Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Results Released with Real-Time Data on COVID-19 Impacts
The Census Bureau today released the first results from the experimental Household Pulse Survey. The results represent data collected between April 23 and May 12, 2020. The data are available through the Household Pulse Survey Interactive Tool, and in tables on the website. The initial release includes national-level estimates in the tables and national and state-level estimates…