InfoBytes Blog
Massachusetts Division of Banks Proposes Foreclosure Regulation Amendments
On January 7, the Massachusetts Division of Banks announced a public hearing to review proposed amendments to the state’s foreclosure and mortgage modification regulations. The proposed amendments would implement a recently passed law that makes it harder to foreclose in that state, including by creating a pre-foreclosure modification notice requirement for creditors. The amended regulation would (i) establish the processes for a borrower and creditor with regard to the borrower’s right to request a loan modification, (ii) establish the actions that constitute a borrower's good faith response to a creditor's notice of the right to request a loan modification, (iii) define good faith efforts by creditors to avoid foreclosure, and (iv) establish safe harbors for creditors that comply with the loan modification process. The hearing is scheduled for February 6, 2013, and the Division of Banks is accepting public comments on the proposal through February 15, 2013.