FDIC: New Podcast Series Chronicles Causes, Responses to Financial Crisis
The FDIC today released a series of podcasts featuring discussions about Crisis and Response: An FDIC History, 2008–2013, the agency’s study of the banking and financial crisis. The podcast series gives listeners a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on the crisis, as FDIC officials share their insights into the agency’s decision-making strategies and actions. “The podcasts will allow…
CFPB: Need Help with Your Credit Card Debt? Start with Your Credit Card Company!
If you’re struggling to keep up with credit card bills, you’re not alone. According to a 2017 Bureau report, from 2015 to 2017 overall credit card debt increased by 13 percent, while people with very low credit scores saw their debt rise by 22 percent. Even if you’ve hit a rough spot, lost your job, are dealing…
Federal Reserve: “A Guide to HMDA Reporting: Getting It Right!” Revised
The Task Force on Consumer Compliance of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council recently developed a revised version of “A Guide to HMDA Reporting: Getting It Right!” (Guide). The updated Guide is for use in connection with Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA)1 data collected beginning on January 1, 2019 pursuant to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s…
CFPB: HMDA Modified Loan Application Registers from 2018 Released
Today, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Modified Loan Application Registers (LARs) data were published for approximately 5,400 financial institutions. This is the first year in which additional data reported by certain institutions under the 2015 HMDA rule will be available. The Modified LARs contains loan level information for 2018 on individual HMDA filers, modified…
FHFA: Index Shows Mortgage Rates Decreased in February 2019
Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages decreased from January to February, 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 4.46 percent for loans closed in late February, down 14 basis points from 4.60 percent in January. The average…
OCC: Report Shows Mortgage Performance Improves in Fourth Quarter 2018
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) reported a slight improvement in the performance of first-lien mortgages in the federal banking system during the fourth quarter of 2018. The OCC Mortgage Metrics Report, Fourth Quarter 2018, showed 95.8 percent of mortgages included in the report were current and performing at the end of the quarter,…
CFPB: Credit Mistakes that Could Be Costing You Money
Managing your credit can sometimes seem like a lot of work, but it’s essential. Your credit history plays a big role in your financial life. Not only does it weigh heavily in determining the loan terms and interest rates you’re offered, but it can also impact other parts of your life, like whether you get…
CFPB: Report Released on First-Time Homebuying Servicemembers
Today the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a report focusing on mortgages made to first-time homebuyers who are serving in the armed forces or are veterans. The Bureau’s report is the first time researchers have been able to provide a description and analysis of servicemembers’ mortgage choices and mortgage performance, both during and after…
FHFA: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Refinance Volume Decreases in Fourth Quarter 2018
Nearly 3.5 Million HARP Loans at Program Expiration The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac completed 245,620 refinances in the fourth quarter of 2018, compared with 253,135 in the third quarter. FHFA’s fourth quarter Refinance Report also shows that 1,390 loans were refinanced through the Home Affordable Refinance Program…