Lending

FDIC: FFIEC Revises A Guide to HMDA Reporting: Getting It Right!

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has revised A Guide to HMDA Reporting: Getting It Right! to reflect the October 2015 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) final rule, as amended in 2017. This compliance resource should help financial institutions better understand the final rule’s requirements, including the data collection and reporting provisions. Statement of…

FDIC: Q&As for Consumers as Part of National Consumer Protection Week

In observance of National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) March 4-10, 2018, the FDIC will post a new question and answer (Q&A) on a different banking topic each weekday at www.fdic.gov/ncpw. The five Q&As — covering mobile banking, credit and debit card security precautions, safe deposit boxes, credit reports, and debt collectors — along with other…

HUD: FHA Extends Foreclosure Moratorium for Hurricane Maria Victims

Additional 60-day relief to help struggling FHA-insured families in Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands WASHINGTON – For the second time since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced that the agency is extending its 180-day foreclosure moratorium for FHA-insured homeowners for an additional 60…

FHFA: Index Shows Mortgage Rates Increased in January 2018

Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages increased from December to January, according to several indices of new mortgage contracts. The National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders Index was 4.12 percent for loans closed in late January, up 4 basis points from 4.08 percent in December….

FHFA: U.S. House Prices Rise 1.6 Percent in Fourth Quarter 2017

U.S. house prices rose 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017 according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index (HPI).   House prices rose 6.7 percent from the fourth quarter of 2016 to the fourth quarter of 2017.  FHFA’s seasonally adjusted monthly index for December was up 0.3 percent from November. The HPI is…

OCC: Publication Focuses on Single-Family Rehabilitation Financing Programs

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published the latest edition of its Community Developments Investments newsletter titled “Expanding Housing Opportunities: Single-Family Rehabilitation Financing Programs.” This edition of Community Developments Investments discusses how national banks and federal savings associations can help revitalize communities by establishing housing rehabilitation loan programs. The publication describes how…

HUD: FHA Expands Foreclosure Relief for Victims of 2017 Disasters

New options offered to struggling homeowners impacted by hurricanes, wildfires and mudslides WASHINGTON – The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced expanded mortgage relief to FHA-insured homeowners who live or work in areas impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria as well as California wildfires and subsequent flooding and mudslides. FHA is instructing mortgage servicers…

CFPB: Thinking About Buying a House in 2018? Here’s What You Need to Know

Are you thinking about buying a house this year? We’ve got tools and resources that will help you get your financial house in order as you prepare to look for that perfect place to call home—and shop for a mortgage that’s right for you. Just as in 2017, the supply of homes for sale is…

FHFA: Refinance Volume Increases in Fourth Quarter 2017

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac completed more than 446,295 refinances in the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with 362,934 in the third quarter.  FHFA’s fourth quarter Refinance Report also shows that 6,309 loans were refinanced through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), bringing the total number…

CFPB: Tax Refund Tips – Understanding Refund Advance Loans and Checks

At this time of year, many people are thinking about filing their tax returns and about if and when they will receive their refunds. When filed electronically (e-file), the IRS issues most tax refunds within 21 days. It can take about six weeks to receive a tax refund for a return filed by mail. Using…