Lending

OCC: Proposed Rule Would Ensure Fair Access to Bank Services, Capital and Credit

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today proposed a rule to ensure fair access to banking services provided by national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies of foreign bank organizations. The proposal would codify more than a decade of OCC guidance stating that banks should provide access to services,…

Federal Reserve: New York Fed Releases Report About Credit Access and Debt Payment for Low-Income Americans

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York today released a report on the effects COVID-19 has had on low-income Americans’ ability to access credit and pay down debt.  The report, “State of Low-Income America: Credit Access & Debt Payment,” uses data from the New York Fed’s Consumer Credit Panel, which is based on Equifax credit…

FHFA: Final Capital Rule Announced for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) sent to the Federal Register for publication a final rule that establishes a new regulatory capital framework for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). The final rule makes certain changes to the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2020 (proposed rule).[1] ​That proposed rule…

FHFA: 2021 Multifamily Loan Purchase Caps for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Announced

50 Percent of Cap Must be Mission-driven, Affordable Housing and Manufactured Housing Community Tenant Protections Added The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that the 2021 multifamily loan purchase caps for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will be $70 billion for each Enterprise. The cap structure allows the Enterprises to offer a…

ABA: Farmer Mac and ABA Joint Ag Lender Survey Reveals Top Concerns in an Uncertain Year

As the farm economy continues to work through a prolonged downturn in the midst of an unparalleled, global economic dislocation, ag lenders remain focused on credit quality, according to the Fall 2020 Agricultural Lender Survey report produced jointly by the American Bankers Association and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, more commonly known as Farmer Mac. When it…

SBA: Small Business Size Standard Revisions Proposed in Three Industrial Sectors

Public Comments Due January 12; Change Targeted at Increasing Eligiblity for Contracting and Loan Programs The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking public comments on a proposed rule that would revise the small business size standards for businesses in three North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) sectors to increase small business eligibility for SBA’s loan and contracting…

HUD: FHA Publishes Annual Report to Congress on the Single Family Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund

Report shows a moderate gain in the MMI Fund’s capital ratio and successful continuation of FHA’s core mission focus in fiscal year 2020  The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today released its fiscal year (FY) 2020 annual report covering the financial status of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund and its Single Family insurance programs.  In addition to…

FHFA: COVID-Related Loan Flexibilities Further Extended

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced today that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will extend several loan origination flexibilities until December 31, 2020. The changes are to ensure continued support for bor rowers during the COVID-19 national emergency. The flexibilities were set to expire on November 30, 2020.  Extended flexibilities include: Alternative appraisals…

FHFA: Temporary Policy Allowing Purchase of Qualified Loans in Forbearance Extended

December 31, 2020 is new expiration date To support homeowners and mortgage lenders, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has approved an extension of the current temporary policy that allows for the purchase of certain single-family mortgages in forbearance that meet specific eligibility criteria as set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises). The…

ABA: Financial Services and Consumer Coalition Launches Borrower Awareness Campaign

‘Not Ok? That’s Ok’ Designed to Spur Borrowers Facing Hardship to Call Their Servicer or a Counselor Today, a broad coalition of financial services stakeholders – including mortgage servicers, trade associations, housing counseling agencies, governmental agencies, and think tanks – launched a consumer awareness campaign to reach borrowers who have missed one or more mortgage…