CRA Newswire

HUD: $5 Million Awarded to Promote Lead Hazard Reduction and Weatherization Programs

Demonstration grants will promote the coordination between reducing lead and energy costs  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $5 million in demonstration grants to five local government and non-profit organizations to help households with young children or seniors promote energy efficiency and healthy housing. The funding announced today promotes the…

CFPB: Mortgage Servicing Changes Proposed to Prevent Wave of COVID-19 Foreclosures

Millions of homeowners expected to exit forbearance in the coming months The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today proposed a set of rule changes intended to help prevent avoidable foreclosures as the emergency federal foreclosure protections expire. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis, millions of families nationwide have suffered the loss of…

FDIC: List of Banks Examined for CRA Compliance Issued

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today issued its list of state nonmember banks recently evaluated for compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The list covers evaluation ratings that the FDIC assigned to institutions in January 2021. The CRA is a 1977 law intended to encourage insured banks and thrifts to meet local credit…

CFPB: New Compliance Bulletin Warns Mortgage Servicers: Unprepared is Unacceptable

Servicers Should Gear Up for Expected Surge in Homeowners Needing Assistance The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today warned mortgage servicers to take all necessary steps now to prevent a wave of avoidable foreclosures this fall. Millions of homeowners currently in forbearance will need help from their servicers when the pandemic-related federal emergency mortgage protections…

FEMA: President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Kentucky

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the severe winter storms, landslides and mudslides from Feb. 8-19, 2021. Federal funding is also available to the commonwealth and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations…

Census Bureau: Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 4 Weekly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the fourth phase of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). Data collection began Feb. 15. Results will be released weekly Feb. 25 to April 22. The SBPS includes questions on topics such as location closings, changes in employment, disruptions in the supply chain, the use of federal assistance initiatives such…

HUD: Commemorating National Fair Housing Month 2021

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today kicked off Fair Housing Month 2021. This year’s Fair Housing Month theme, Fair Housing: More Than Just Words, reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing equity in housing and the importance of increasing public awareness of everyone’s right to fair housing. “Fair Housing Month is a…

OCC: April is National Financial Capability Month

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) encourages national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) to support financial literacy education year-round but especially during National Financial Capability Month, which runs through April 30. Banks promote financial literacy by supporting programs that expand financial literacy, economic empowerment, and access to capital and credit…

CFPB: Series of Policy Statements Rescinded to Ensure Industry Complies with Consumer Protection Laws

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today announced it is rescinding seven policy statements issued last year that provided temporary flexibilities to financial institutions in consumer financial markets including mortgages, credit reporting, credit cards and prepaid cards. The seven rescissions, effective April 1, provide guidance to financial institutions on complying with their legal and regulatory…