CFPB: How to Understand Special Promotional Financing Offers on Credit Cards
CREDIT CARD TERMS By Gail Hillebrand How do you tell the difference between a zero interest and deferred, or “no” interest credit card offer? Look for the “if.” Zero interest offers use language like “0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months.” Deferred interest offers use language like “No interest if paid in full…
CFPB: Bureau Encourages Credit Card Companies to Consider More Transparent Promotions
Bureau Notes that Deferred-Interest Promotions May Lack Transparency, Carry Risks to Consumers WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today announced it has sent letters to top retail credit card companies encouraging them to consider using more transparent promotions. Many retailers use credit cards with deferred-interest promotions – offers of no interest for a…
CFPB: Study Finds Consumers in Lower-Income Areas are More Likely to Become Credit Visible Due to Negative Records
Consumers In Higher-Income Areas More Likely Than Those in Lower-Income Areas to Establish Credit with a Credit Card or Co-Borrower WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today released a study on the transition to credit visibility that found that the way consumers establish credit history can differ greatly based on economic background….
HUD: National Homeownership Month Kicks Off
WASHINGTON – The Trump Administration proclaimed June as National Homeownership Month, a time to reflect upon the impact owning a home has on household wealth, neighborhood stability and the nation’s broader economic health. The theme of National Homeownership Month 2017 is “Find Your Place in a New Era of Homeownership.” Read the President’s Homeownership Month Proclamation….
FHFA: Further Data Released on Non-Performing Loan Sales
Washington, DC – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released its third report providing information about the sale of non-performing loans (NPLs) by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). The Enterprise Non-Performing Loan Sales Report includes information about NPLs sold and outcomes for borrowers as of December 31, 2016. The sale of NPLs…
Federal Reserve: New York Fed Examines Regional Household Debt and Credit Trend
NEW YORK—The Federal Reserve Bank of New York today issued Regional Household Debt and Credit Snapshots, which examine borrowing and indebtedness trends throughout the Federal Reserve’s Second District, and are analogous to the national Quarterly Report on Household Debt and Credit. They include data about mortgages, home equity lines, student loans, credit cards, auto loans…
FHFA: Index Shows Mortgage Rates Decreased in April 2017
Washington, DC – Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages decreased from March to April, 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 3.97 percent for loans closed in late April, down 15 basis points from 4.12…
FHFA: Request for Input to Improve Access to Credit for Qualified Mortgage Borrowers with Limited English Proficiency
Washington, DC – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today issued a Request for Input on issues facing qualified mortgage borrowers with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) throughout the mortgage life cycle process, including lending and servicing. FHFA’s 2017 Scorecard for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Common Securitization Solutions, requires Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the…
CFPB: Seeking Comment on Plan for Assessing the ATR/QM Rule
Today, we released our plan to assess the effectiveness of the Ability-to-Repay/Qualified Mortgage rule (ATR/QM rule). We are asking the public to comment on our plan, to suggest sources of data, and generally to provide information that would help with the assessment. We see conducting the assessment as an opportunity. Conducting the assessment will advance…