Joint Release: Agencies Announce Threshold for Smaller Loan Exemption from Appraisal Requirements for Higher-Priced Mortgage Loans
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced that the threshold for exempting loans from special appraisal requirements for higher-priced mortgage loans during 2018 will increase from $25,500 to $26,000. The threshold amount will be effective January 1,…
FEMA: Resources for Smart Rebuilding After Hurricane Irma
If your property was damaged by Hurricane Irma, there are resources available to help you build back stronger and safer to prevent damage from future disasters. Start repairs to make your home safe and livable again as soon as possible. Get a building permit from your local building department before beginning structural work. As you…
ABA: National Judges Set to Select 2017-2018 Lights, Camera, Save! Winners
Teen Video Contest Accepting Entries through Dec. 1 WASHINGTON – The American Bankers Association Foundation has announced its Lights, Camera, Save! national judging panel, along with the list of 157 participating banks, who will hold 173 contests in 45 states through Dec. 1. Contest winners will be announced during America Saves Week 2018. The Lights,…
HUD: $5 Billion Provided to Help Texas Recover from Hurricane Harvey
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $5.024 billion to help hard-hit areas in the State of Texas to recover from Hurricane Harvey. The grant announced today by the Trump Administration is provided through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program and will support the repair of damaged homes,…
Census Bureau: More Children Live With Just Their Fathers Than a Decade Ago
The percentage of children living with one parent who live with just their father saw an increase from 12.5 percent in 2007 to 16.1 percent in 2017. That’s according to new statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 America’s Families and Living Arrangements table package. “A higher percentage of children living with one parent live…
FHFA: Total Refinance Volume Ticks Up Slightly in Third Quarter 2017
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that more than 362,934 refinances were completed in the third quarter of 2017, compared with 356,707 in the second quarter. FHFA’s third quarter Refinance Report also shows that more than 6,913 loans were refinanced through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), bringing the total number of HARP…
FHFA: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Will Re-enter the LIHTC Market
Equity Investments Will Support Underserved Markets The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will be allowed limited re-entry into the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) market as equity investors, effective immediately. The LIHTC, established in the Tax Reform Act of 1986, is the primary government program…
Federal Reserve: Speech | Where Do Consumers Fit in the FinTech Stack?
Where Do Consumers Fit in the Fintech Stack? Governor Lael Brainard The new generation of fintech tools offers the potential to help consumers manage their increasingly complicated financial lives, but also poses risks that will need to be managed as the marketplace matures.1 In many ways, the new generation of fintech tools can be seen…
FEMA: Over $45 Million in Federal Disaster Aid Assistance Approved for Georgia
The State of Georgia, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration continue to support recovery efforts from Hurricane Irma, which caused widespread damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure. Since the storm passed, affected survivors in designated counties (which include Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Coffee, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh) have taken charge of…
Census Bureau: Webinar on November 28th on Release of 2012-2016 ACS Five-Year Estimates
What: The U.S. Census Bureau will hold a webinar on Nov. 28, 2017, in advance of the Dec. 7 release of the 2012-2016 American Community Survey five-year estimates. Members of the media will have embargo access to the information beginning Dec. 5. The webinar will show participants how to access the data and compare geographies…