CFPB: Guidance Issued to Combat Junk Fees by Mortgage Servicers
Homeowners forced to pay for “services” that were prohibited or unauthorized The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today published an edition of Supervisory Highlights describing the agency’s actions to combat junk fees charged by mortgage servicers, as well as other illegal practices. CFPB examinations found servicers charging illegal junk fees, such as prohibited property inspection fees; sending…
HUD: Multifamily Insurance Deductibles Updated to Address Rising Costs of Wind and Storm Coverage
Revisions will reduce costs for owners while continuing to ensure that properties have adequate insurance coverage – a key element of HUD’s work to address insurance costs and ensure communities recover from disaster Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), updated its policies for wind and named storm insurance…
FHFA: Housing Mission Report for 2023 Released
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released its annual Housing Mission Report, describing the activities taken by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) and the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) in 2023 to promote access to financing for affordable, sustainable, and equitable housing and targeted economic development. “FHFA maintains a keen focus on…
HUD: Final Rule Issued to Increase Lender Participation and Boost Homeownership in Tribal Communities
Enhanced home loan program helps to further the homeownership dream for Native American families. Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a final rule that will increase lender participation in the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee (Section 184) program, strengthen regulations to meet the program’s growing demands, and ensure that…
FHFA: New Product Notice Published for Freddie Mac Second Mortgage Proposal
Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) sent to the Federal Register a notice of a proposed new product from Freddie Mac to begin purchasing certain single-family closed-end second mortgages. “The proposed activity is intended to provide homeowners with a cost-effective alternative for accessing the equity in their homes,” said FHFA Director Sandra L. Thompson….
CDFI Fund: $18 Million Awarded to Support Consumer Access to Financial Institutions Through the CDFI Small Dollar Loan Program Awards
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded $18 million in grants to Certified Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) through the combined fiscal year (FY) 2023 and (FY) 2024 round of the Small Dollar Loan Program (SDL Program). “These important awards enable more Certified CDFIs to offer alternatives…
ABA: Bank Economists Continue to Grow More Optimistic About Credit Conditions
Bank economists are growing more optimistic about the outlook for credit conditions over the next six months compared to the latter half of 2023, according to the American Bankers Association’s latest Credit Conditions Index released today. The latest summary of ABA’s Credit Conditions Index examines a suite of indices derived from the quarterly outlook for credit markets…
CFPB: New Report Finds More Americans Are Paying Upfront Fees Seeking to Lower Interest Rates on Mortgages
“Discount points” have uncertain value for borrowers The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a new report today finding that more borrowers paid “discount points” upfront as overall interest rates rose. The percentage of homebuyers paying discount points roughly doubled from 2021 to 2023. The increase was even greater among borrowers with lower credit scores. While…
OCC: National Financial Capability Month Celebrated in April
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) supports National Financial Capability Month in April, and encourages national banks and federal savings associations (collectively, banks) to support this annual commemoration by recommitting their focus on improving the financial capability and financial health of their customers. Banks can promote financial capability through high-quality financial literacy…
SBA: Two Business Recovery Centers Open to Support Small Businesses Amid Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse
Centers Will Help Small Business Owners Apply for Low-Interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans as Part of Biden-Harris Administration’s Whole-of-Government Approach to Recovery Today the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the opening of a second Business Recovery Center (BRC) at the CareFirst Engagement Center (1501 South Clinton Street) in Baltimore to provide further federal government support to businesses affected by…