Fannie Mae Updates Custodial Bank Accounts Guidance

Fannie Mae Mortgage Servicing Servicing Guide

On August 15, Fannie Mae issued Servicing Guide Announcement SVC-2012-06, which amends requirements regarding custodial accounts. Under the amended guidance, servicers may maintain multiple tax and insurance custodial accounts for hazard insurance loss drafts, partial payments, or unapplied funds, but must execute a Form 1014 for each such account. Servicers also are no longer required to (i) notify Fannie Mae of a depository’s ineligible status, (ii) request approval to hold custodial funds in a formerly ineligible, but now compliant, depository, or (iii) request the implementation of a different remedy for an ineligible depository. Servicers still must monitor depositories to ensure they maintain eligibility.