Lending

FHFA: COVID-Related Loan Flexibilites Extended Until February 28, 2021

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced today that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will extend several loan origination flexibilities until February 28, 2021. The changes are to ensure continued support for borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency. The flexibilities were set to expire on January 31, 2021. Extended flexibilities include: Alternative appraisals on…

FHFA and Treasury: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Allowed to Continue to Retain Earnings

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) today announced amendments to the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (PSPAs). The amendments allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac​ (the Enterprises) to continue to retain earnings until they satisfy the requirements of the 2020 Enterprise capital rule.  “Today’s agreement that allows Fannie Mae…

OCC: Final Rule Requiring Large Banks to Provide Fair Access to Bank Services, Capital, and Credit Effective April 1, 2021

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today released its finalized rule to ensure fair access to banking services provided by large national banks, federal savings associations, and federal branches and agencies of foreign bank organizations. The rule codifies more than a decade of OCC guidance stating that banks should conduct risk assessment…

SBA: PPP Re-Opened to Small Lenders on January 15th and All Lenders on January 19th

Lenders with $1 Billion or Less in Assets Will be Able to Submit First and Second Draw PPP Applications on Friday – Continuing Dedicated Access for Community-Based Lenders The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, will re-open the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or…

SBA: 1.1 Million PPP Loans Forgiven So Far Totaling Over $100 Billion

Small borrowers make up vast majority of forgiveness applicants The U.S. Small Business Administration has already forgiven more than 1.1 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for over $100 billion, providing an extraordinary amount of critical relief to America’s small businesses just 3 months since the earliest PPP borrowers’ covered periods ended.  “Today’s news is a key…

SBA: PPP Re-Opened to Community Financial Institutions First

Community Financial Institutions get dedicated access starting January 11, 2021 The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal today at 9 am ET. SBA is continuing its dedicated commitment to underserved small businesses and to addressing potential access to capital barriers by initially granting PPP access…

SBA: PPP Re-Opening and New Guidance Announced

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday,…

CFPB: Taskforce on Federal Consumer Financial Law Releases Its Report

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Bureau) Taskforce on Federal Consumer Financial Law (Taskforce) released a report today with recommendations on how to improve consumer protection in the financial marketplace. The Taskforce Report uses five interrelated principles that serve as the foundation for proposed systematic changes to the current legal and regulatory framework: consumer protection, information and…

SBA: COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Application Deadline Extended through December 31, 2021

The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for the COVID-19 Pandemic disaster declaration is extended to Dec. 31, 2021. The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced that the deadline to apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for the COVID-19 Pandemic disaster declaration is…

FHFA: Request for Input Issued on Appraisal-Related Policies, Practices and Processes

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today issued a Request for Input (RFI) on appraisal-related policies, practices, and processes. The input received in response to the RFI will be used by FHFA to determine the necessary modifications needed to ensure Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) operate in a safe and sound manner.  “Modernizing…