InfoBytes Blog
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Align Certain Servicing Policies
On October 3, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) issued announcements reflecting their recent effort to comply with an FHFA directive that the Enterprises work together to harmonize certain of their servicing policies and develop a consistent framework for assessing servicer performance. For example, Fannie Mae’s Servicing Guide Announcement SVC-2012-21 and Freddie Mac’s Bulletin 2012-20 include revisions to the Enterprises’ policies and practices regarding performance metrics for assessing servicers’ fulfillment of their duties. The Enterprises also updated servicing policies to harmonize (i) compensatory fee structures, (ii) servicer violations and remedies, and (iii) servicing terminations and transfer of servicing. The effective date of most changes discussed in the announcements is January 1, 2013. However, Fannie Mae announced miscellaneous contractual changes that are effective immediately, including its adoption of New York law as its choice of law provision, and its clarification of certain Servicing Guide sections related to indemnification and electronic records.