Mortgage

CFPB: New Consumer Protections Proposed for Homeowners Seeking Clean Energy Financing

Proposed rule would guard against unscrupulous practices and prevent unnecessary mortgage foreclosures The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a rule to implement a Congressional mandate to establish consumer protections for residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans. PACE loans, secured by a property tax lien on the borrower’s home, are often promoted as a…

CFPB: Rule Issued to Facilitate the Orderly Wind Down of LIBOR

Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued an interim final rule amending the agency’s 2021 LIBOR transition rule. The interim final rule contains updates to reflect the subsequent enactment of the Adjustable Interest Rate (LIBOR) Act and issuance of an implementing regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board System. This…

CFPB: Guidance Issued to Protect Homeowners from Illegal Collection Tactics on Zombie Mortgages

It is illegal for debt collectors to sue or threaten to sue to collect debts past the statute of limitations Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued guidance on debt collectors, covered by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, threatening to foreclose on homes with mortgages past the statute of limitations. The advisory opinion…

Interagency Statement on Completing the LIBOR Transition Issued

Sunset of LIBOR as reference rate for many financial products may pose risks to borrowers Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) joined four other federal financial regulatory agencies, along with state bank and state credit union regulators, in issuing a statement that the use of United States Dollar LIBOR (USD LIBOR) panels will end…

CFPB: Artificial Intelligence, Automated Systems and Advanced Technology Have the Potential to Result in Unlawful Discrimination

CFPB and Federal Partners Confirm Automated Systems and Advanced Technology Not an Excuse for Lawbreaking Behavior Four federal agencies jointly pledged today to uphold America’s commitment to the core principles of fairness, equality, and justice as emerging automated systems, including those sometimes marketed as “artificial intelligence” or “AI,” have become increasingly common in our daily…

FHFA: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Fair Lending Oversight Issued

Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that it is seeking comment on a proposed rule that would formalize many of the Agency’s existing practices and programs regarding fair housing and fair lending oversight of its regulated entities. Specifically, the proposed rule would codify in regulation: FHFA’s fair lending oversight requirements for Fannie Mae…

OCC: FFIEC’s 2023 “A Guide to HMDA Reporting: Getting It Right!” Released

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is announcing the issuance of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s (FFIEC) revised “A Guide to HMDA Reporting: Getting It Right!” (2023 guide). The 2023 guide provides resources to help banks1 comply with the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) and Regulation C, its implementing regulation (12 CFR…

HUD: FHA Seeks Feedback on Proposed Changes to Increase Access to Affordable Financing for Properties with Accessory Dwelling Units

Proposed policy changes would expand the use of affordable FHA-insured financing for homes with Accessory Dwelling Units as part of Biden-Harris Administration’s Housing Supply Action Plan. Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) published for feedback a draft update to its requirements for insuring mortgages on single family homes with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The proposal adds additional…

HUD: Assistance Announced for Arkansas in Wake of Severe Storms and Tornadoes

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the implementation of federal disaster relief for the state of Arkansas to assist state, and local recovery efforts for areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes on March 31, 2023. On April 2, 2023 President Biden issued a major disaster declaration for the counties of Cross,…

FHFA: Updated Equitable Housing Finance Plans for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Announced

Agency also releases updated Enterprise fair lending data The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced updates to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s (the Enterprises) Equitable Housing Finance Plans for 2023. The updates build upon the inaugural plans first announced last year and make adjustments based on initial research and findings. The Equitable Housing Finance…