Industry News

FHFA: Deadline Extended to March 30th for Request for Input on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Credit Score Requirements

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that it will extend, from February 20, 2018 to March 30, 2018, the deadline for interested parties to provide input on potential changes to the credit score requirements of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises).  FHFA is seeking input on all aspects of a potential change…

SBA: Proposed Rule Issued to Move Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification Program to SBA

Department of Veterans Affairs issues proposed rule to move to the Small Business Administration regulations relating to business ownership and control for the purposes of its Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification Program and to clarify other terms and references used in this program. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to amend its regulations governing…

CDFI Fund: FY 2018 Funding Round for CDFI Program and NACA Program Opened

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) opened the fiscal year (FY) 2018 funding round for the Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI Program) and Native American CDFI Assistance Program (NACA Program). The awards from these programs will support Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) providing affordable financing and…

FHFA: Final Strategic Plan for FY 2018-2022 Released

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released the FHFA Strategic Plan:  Fiscal Years 2018-2022, which reflects the Agency’s priorities as regulator of the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) and as regulator and conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises).  Last year FHFA requested input on the draft Agency strategic plan from Members…

OCC: Supporting Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency wants more eligible working families to benefit from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and is promoting EITC Awareness Day on January 26, 2018. “EITC Awareness Day is an important opportunity to educate the American public, and in particular, workers with and low and moderate incomes, about…

Interagency Statement: Agencies to Give Favorable CRA Consideration to Revitalization Activities in Disaster Areas Affected by Hurricane Maria

OCC Statement FDIC Statement Federal Reserve Statement The federal bank regulatory agencies today announced they will give favorable consideration under Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations to institutions that are located outside of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, which were designated as major disaster areas in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, for bank activities…

SBA: Free Webinar Series to Help Small Businesses Navigate the HUBZone Program

The U.S. Small Business Administration will present a six-part, free webinar series to help small businesses navigate its Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone Program that will run from February to mid-March. The hour-long webinars will cover the following topics: Feb. 7 HUBZone Contracting:  Make the Federal Government Your Customer             2-3p.m. EST Small businesses will…

HUD: $37 Million in Grants Awarded to Fight Housing Discrimination

Grants will support more than 150 fair housing organizations nationwide The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today it is awarding $37 million to fight housing discrimination under its Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP). These grants will support more than 150 national and local fair housing organizations working to confront violations of…

HUD: $25 Million Offered to Clean Up Dangerous Lead in Public Housing

Funding to make low-income housing lead safe The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is offering $25 million in grants to identify and eliminate lead-based paint hazards in public housing. Read HUD’s Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). These funds are offered through HUD’s Public and Indian Housing Lead-Based Paint Capital Fund Program. This…

CFPB: Acting Director Mulvaney Announces Call for Evidence Regarding CFPB Functions

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau today announced that it is issuing a call for evidence to ensure the Bureau is fulfilling its proper and appropriate functions to best protect consumers. In coming weeks, the Bureau will be publishing in the Federal Register a series of Requests for Information (RFIs) seeking comment on enforcement, supervision, rulemaking,…