CFPB: Bureau Explores Impact of Alternative Data on Credit Access for Consumers Who Are Credit Invisible
CFPB Seeks Public Feedback on Benefits, Risks of Using Unconventional Sources to Extend Affordable Credit to Consumers Lacking Credit History WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today launched an inquiry into ways to expand access to credit for consumers who are credit invisible or who lack enough credit history to obtain a credit score….
FHFA: Refinance Volume Continued to Slow in Fourth Quarter
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that 13,220 borrowers refinanced their mortgages through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) from October through December. FHFA’s fourth quarter Refinance Report also shows that total refinance volume fell in December, as mortgage interest rates increased. Total HARP refinances now stand at 3,447,671 since…
FHFA: Deadline Extended for Public Input on Potential Chattel Loan Pilot in Duty to Serve Program
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is extending the deadline, from Feb. 17, 2017 to March 21, 2017, for stakeholders to respond to a request for input on potential manufactured home chattel loans pilot initiatives for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) as part of the Duty to Serve underserved markets. …
CDFI Fund: “Access to Capital and Credit in Native Communities” Data Release Now Available
Today, the Native Nations Institute released a Data Review to accompany the Access to Capital and Credit in Native Communities Report (the Report) commissioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund). The Data Review helped set the stage for the Report by collecting data regarding access to capital and credit in American…
CFPB: How to Decide How Much to Spend on Your Down Payment
One of the toughest parts of buying a home for the first time is coming up with a down payment. You may have heard that in order to buy, you should have 20 percent of the total cost of the home saved up for the down payment. Actually, you can choose how much to put…
CFPB: Debt Relief Attorneys Sued for Collecting Illegal Fees from Struggling Consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today took action against a ring of law firms and attorneys who collaborated to charge illegal fees to consumers seeking debt relief. In a complaint filed in federal court, the CFPB alleges that Howard Law, P.C., the Williamson Law Firm, LLC, and Williamson & Howard, LLP, as well as…
CFPB: Tips for Student Loan Borrowers
We frequently hear from borrowers and cosigners, including veterans and servicemembers, who are working hard to stay on track and pay off their student loans but are struggling to get the information and the help they need from their student loan servicer. With this in mind, we put together these tips to help consumers tackle…
CFPB: Easy-to-Remember Guidelines Help People Reduce Credit Card Debt
Take a short guideline like “don’t swipe the small stuff” and make it your own. You might just find that you’re better able to control your own credit card debt. Have you ever looked at your credit card bill and wondered where all those charges came from? Or found yourself swiping your credit card for…
FHFA: Public Input Requested on Duty to Serve Program
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is requesting public input on chattel loan pilot initiatives for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) and the proposed Evaluation Guidance under the final rule on Duty to Serve Underserved Markets. FHFA issued a final rule on Dec. 13, 2016 to implement the Duty to…
CFPB: Survey Finds Over One-in-Four Consumers Contacted by Debt Collectors Feel Threatened
CFPB Also Releases Study of Consumer Risks in Online Debt Sales, Consumer Stories of Debt Collection Experiences WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) report released today found that over one-in-four consumers contacted by debt collectors felt threatened. The report was drawn from the first-ever national survey of consumer experiences with debt collectors. Over…