In a consent order with a reverse mortgage servicer on June 18, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) made the argument that failing to effectively service loans is abusive. The groundwork for this line of thinking was laid out by the current CFPB administration through various statements and guidance documents, but the public order
Reverse Mortgage
Impact of Revised FHA Handbook on Reverse Mortgage Servicers
Following a long wait, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a revised version of the Fair Housing Administration’s (FHA) handbook governing the origination and servicing of FHA loan products, including Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs, which are more commonly known as “reverse mortgages”). While the revisions in the new handbook are…
HUD OIG Reports HMBS Program Management Concerns
Consistent with its mission to safeguard against fraud, waste, and abuse, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced concerns regarding Ginnie Mae’s management of its Home Equity Conversion Mortgage-Backed Securities (HMBS) Program.
On November 15, 2023, the HUD OIG issued the Top Management Challenges…
HUD Revises the HECM Program in Response to Changing Market Conditions
Last week, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) revised multiple regulations and requirements related to servicing Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs, more commonly known as “reverse mortgages”), with the goal of updating and streamlining the program to improve its long-term performance.
In recognition of rising interest rates and other market conditions that are…
FHA Amends HECM Assignment Claim Type 22 Submission Requirements
Affirming its commitment to the senior citizen population, on May 17, 2023, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) issued Mortgagee Letter 2023-10, implementing amendments to the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) assignment claim submission criteria.
As a bit of background, a HECM is a reverse mortgage insured by the FHA. HECMs, as any reverse mortgage…
HUD Releases Update to HECM Program Requirements for HECMs Due and Payable Due to Death of Borrower
On August 31, 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released Mortgagee Letter 2022-15 titled “Update to Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) Program Requirements for Notice of Due and Payable Status.”
Mortgagee Letter 2022-15 modifies a HECM mortgagee’s notification requirements to a borrower’s estate after a loan becomes due and payable due…
Georgia Passes Historic Mortgage Licensing Law
On May 2, 2022, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed SB 470, which amends provisions of Georgia’s banking laws relating to the denial or revocation of a mortgage license or registration due to certain felony convictions. SB 470 will reduce the impact on mortgage companies as a result of Georgia’s existing prohibition on the employment of…
FHA Updates Single Family Policy Handbook 4000.1
In late July, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) made several important revisions to the Single Family Policy Handbook 4000.1. The new guidance is part of a series of changes recently announced by the Biden-era FHA, including guidance related to COVID-19 recovery loss mitigation options. Describing the changes as primarily “enhancements and revisions” and “technical edits,”…
New York Enacts New Reverse Mortgage Foreclosure Law
On December 15, 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill that, among other things, requires reverse mortgage lenders in the state to notify the state’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) and mortgagors of an impending foreclosure action on reverse mortgage borrowers.
The legal and regulatory regime governing reverse mortgages rapidly evolved…
HUD, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac Suspend Foreclosures and Evictions for 60 Days
During a COVID-19 press briefing at the White House on March 18, 2020, President Donald Trump announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will temporarily suspend “all foreclosures and evictions.” The president made this announcement to provide “immediate relief” to homeowners and renters struggling to make rent and mortgage payments. The president’s…