ABA: Bank Economists Forecast Moderating Economic Growth and Heightened Uncertainty
According to a new forecast released today from the Economic Advisory Committee of the American Bankers Association, the pace of growth will moderate through 2019 and 2020, reflecting fading policy support in the U.S. and a slowing global economy. The median forecast of 15 chief economists from major North American banks surveyed the first week…
HUD: FHA Calls on Lenders to Assist Federal Workers and Contractors Impacted by the Federal Government Shutdown
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today called on all approved mortgagees and lenders to be sensitive to the financial hardships experienced by borrowers as a result of the shutdown, including those borrowers subject to furlough, layoff, or a reduction in income related to the shutdown. Read FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery’s letter to lenders and approved…
ABA: Report Shows Consumer Delinquencies Rise in Third Quarter 2018
Installment loan and bank card delinquencies resumed a slow return towards normal levels in the third quarter of 2018, but remain low by historical standards, according to results from the American Bankers Association’s Consumer Credit Delinquency Bulletin. Overall, delinquencies rose in six of the 11 categories tracked by ABA while five categories showed improvement. The…
OCC: CRA Regulation Revision of Small and Intermediate Small Bank and Savings Association Asset Thresholds
OCC BULLETIN 2019-1 Summary On December 27, 2018, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published in the Federal Register revisions to its Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations that became effective January 1, 2019. The revisions adjust the asset-size threshold amounts used to define “small bank,” “small savings association,” “intermediate small bank,” and “intermediate…
CFPB: Resolve to Take Control of Your Debt in the New Year
Many people make it their New Year’s resolution to get a handle on debt and improve their finances. Here are six steps you can take to make that resolution a reality. 1. Budget Creating a budget will help you figure out how much money you have to pay down your debts, while also covering your…
FEMA: Puerto Rico’s Recovery Brings Opportunity to Improve
As 2018 ends, Puerto Rico’s transformation from hurricanes Irma and Maria has pivoted toward making the island stronger and more resilient. The island’s long-term recovery envisions enhanced infrastructure and communities more capable of withstanding events like the 2017 hurricanes. The Government of Puerto Rico and FEMA have collaborated on several recovery projects that meet these…
FHFA: Index Shows Mortgage Rates Increased in November 2018
Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages increased from October to November, according to several indices of new mortgage contracts. The National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders Index was 4.86 percent for loans closed in late November, up 11 basis points from 4.75 percent in October….