Lending

Agencies Take Temporary Action on Appraisal Requirements in Area Affected by Hawaii Wildfires

To help facilitate recovery efforts from wildfires in Hawaii last year, four federal financial institution regulatory agencies today temporarily paused certain appraisal requirements for real estate-related transactions in Maui County. This temporary action is expected to allow banks and credit unions to work with families and businesses without obtaining an appraisal. Banks and credit unions…

ABA: ABA Sues CFPB Over New Regulation Restricting Credit Card Late Fees

The American Bankers Association today joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Longview Chamber of Commerce, Consumer Bankers Association, and Texas Association of Business in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that challenges the CFPB’s new rule limiting…

SBA: Enhanced Lender Match Platform Launched

Stakeholders Applaud Improved Online Tool That Will Simplify Access to Capital for Small Businesses Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman announced the next generation of the SBA’s Lender Match tool for small businesses to connect to capital through SBA’s network of approved banks and private lenders. The enhanced Lender Match will provide Americans seeking funding to start and grow their businesses…

FHFA: Key Updates Announced for Implementation of Enterprise Credit Score Requirements

Use of “bi-merge” credit reporting to occur simultaneously with implementation of new credit score model requirements The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced updates to the implementation of new credit score requirements for single-family loans acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). Following extensive stakeholder engagement and input, FHFA is aligning the…

CFPB: Guidance Issued to Rein in Rigged Comparison-Shopping Results for Credit Cards and Other Financial Products

Manipulative advertisements and kickbacks undermine competition and can violate federal law The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today issued a circular to law enforcement agencies and regulators explaining how companies operating comparison-shopping tools can break the law when they steer consumers to certain products or lenders because of kickbacks. Consumers use comparison-shopping tools to evaluate the costs,…

HUD: FHA Launches New Option to Help Struggling Borrowers Keep Their Homes

The new offering, called the Payment Supplement, will help borrowers bring their mortgage payments current and avoid foreclosure. FHA will also extend its full suite of loss mitigation options for all borrowers through April 30, 2025. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced a new loss mitigation home retention option for borrowers with FHA-insured single family forward…

ABA: Bank Economists Express Cautious Optimism About Credit Conditions in 2024

The latest summary of ABA’s Credit Conditions Index examines a suite of indices derived from the quarterly outlook for credit markets produced by ABA’s Economic Advisory Committee (EAC). The EAC includes chief economists from North America’s largest banks. Readings above 50 indicate that, on net, bank economists expect business and household credit conditions to improve, while readings…

Agencies Issue 2023 Shared National Credit Program Report

Federal bank regulatory agencies today reported in the 2023 Shared National Credit (SNC) report that credit quality associated with large, syndicated bank loans remains moderate. However, the agencies noted declining credit quality trends due to the pressure of higher interest rates on leveraged borrowers and compressed operating margins in some industry sectors. Risks in leveraged…

SBA: Updated Equity Action Plan Unveiled to Advance Commitment to Investing in Equity

Updates Focus on Providing Access to Capital and Entrepreneurial Support Services, Creating Economic Opportunities, and Advancing our National Economy Today,  Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses and startups, announced the SBA’s updated 2023 Equity Action Plan outlining actionable steps the…

FFIEC: Statement Issued on Examination Principles Related to Valuation Discrimination and Bias in Residential Lending   

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council today issued a statement of principles related to valuation discrimination and bias for member entities to consider in their consumer compliance and safety and soundness examinations. The principles aid member entities in assessing whether their supervised institutions’ compliance and risk management practices are appropriate to identify and mitigate discrimination…