CFPB: Report Released on Banking Access and Consumer Finance in Southern States
Reports highlight gaps and identify opportunities to improve financial outcomes for many Southerners The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today issued two new reports on the financial opportunities and challenges facing Southern communities. The Southern U.S. is home to diverse populations, including many rural areas. Many areas of the Southern region are considered “banking deserts”…
ABA: Bank Economists Expect Credit Conditions to Soften in the Second Half of the Year
The latest summary of ABA’s Credit Conditions Index examines a suite of indices derived from the quarterly outlook for credit markets produced by ABA’s Economic Advisory Committee (EAC). The EAC includes chief economists from North America’s largest banks. Readings above 50 indicate that, on net, bank economists expect business and household credit conditions to improve, while readings…
HUD: FHA Launches New Resources to Remove Language Barriers for Borrowers
Multi-language translations of single family mortgage documents offer new resources for lenders and servicers when working with borrowers with limited English proficiency. Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is making available in Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese more than 30 single family mortgage documents and related resources used in the origination of FHA-insured mortgages….
Interagency Guidance Proposed on Reconsiderations of Value for Residential Real Estate Valuations
Five federal regulatory agencies today requested public comment on proposed guidance addressing reconsiderations of value (ROV) for residential real estate transactions. The proposed guidance advises on policies that financial institutions may implement to allow consumers to provide financial institutions with information that may not have been considered during an appraisal or if deficiencies are identified…
SBA: Applications Open for Small Business Lending Company License
Expanding the number of Lenders to increase access to small, affordable loans for millions of small business owners Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice for America’s 33.2 million small businesses in President Biden’s Cabinet, opened a window for new applications for Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) licenses for the first time…
Agencies Request Comment on Quality Control Standards for Automated Valuation Models Proposed Rule
Six federal regulatory agencies today requested public comment on a proposed rule designed to ensure the credibility and integrity of models used in real estate valuations. In particular, the proposed rule would implement quality control standards for automated valuation models (AVMs) used by mortgage originators and secondary market issuers in valuing real estate collateral securing…
HUD: FHA Proposes Innovative Approach to Keep Struggling Homeowners in their Homes
In consideration of steeply increased interest rates, FHA seeks input on new approach to help its borrowers Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) posted for feedback a proposal for a new home retention option to help struggling homeowners meet their mortgage obligations. The new option, called the Payment Supplement Partial Claim, would allow mortgage servicers to use…
FHFA: Input Requested on Multifamily Tenant Protections
Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued a Request for Input (RFI) on tenant protections at multifamily properties with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). Through their role as secondary market participants in the multifamily housing market, the Enterprises have a public mission to support the availability of safe, decent…
HUD: FHA Finalizes Policies to Expedite Claims Processing for Home Equity Conversion Mortgages
New policies are expected to shorten the timeframe for mortgagees to receive Home Equity Conversion Mortgage assignment funds. Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is announcing new policies that will allow for faster payment of funds to mortgagees when they assign a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), also known as a reverse mortgage, to HUD. The changes…
FHFA: Input Requested on the Enterprises’ Single-Family Pricing Framework
Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued a Request for Input (RFI) on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s (the Enterprises) single-family pricing framework. The RFI solicits public feedback on the goals and policy priorities that FHFA should pursue in its oversight of the pricing framework. FHFA also seeks input on the process for setting…