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New Jersey regulator announces residential mortgage relief initiative
On March 28, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance announced that it is working with more than 40 banks, credit unions and servicers to provide relief to New Jersey homeowners. Under the new initiative, residents of New Jersey impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic may be eligible for a 90-day forbearance from mortgage payments and relief from fees and charges upon contacting their financial institutions. Cooperating institutions have also agreed not to start any foreclosure sales or evictions for 60 days.
Nevada regulator asks mortgage servicers to assist troubled borrowers
On March 27, the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, Division of Mortgage Lending issued guidance to state-regulated mortgage servicers and mortgage companies encouraging them to assist borrowers adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The division requested these entities provide 60 days mortgage payment forbearance, waive late payment and transactional fees for 60 days, ensure security of consumer data, and refrain from foreclosures for 60 days, among other things.
Maryland banking regulator outlines expectation for working with borrowers
On March 27, Maryland’s Commissioner of Financial Regulation issued an industry advisory with guidance regarding consumer credit for borrowers impacted by Covid-19. The guidance warns licensees against using the health crisis as an opportunity to increase fees or interest rates and instructs them to keep applicants and clients informed of disruptions or delays in credit decisions or changes to times and methods of communication. The advisory also “strongly urges” licensees to takes steps to mitigate the health crisis by, among other things: waiving late fees and online and telephone payment fees; foregoing credit reporting or reporting payment information in a manner that minimizes negative impact on credit histories; offering modification, forbearance or other options to allow borrowers to reduce or defer payments; ensuring that borrowers are able to timely make inquiries and manage their accounts; reaching out to borrowers proactively to provide information on available assistance; and ensuring that all borrower-facing staff are fully informed regarding available assistance and proactive in informing borrowers. Licensees are reminded to comply with applicable Maryland law, including all fair lending requirements, and to retain appropriate documentation to support decisions regarding mitigation offers.
Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation issues guidance on consumer credit
On March 27, Maryland’s Commissioner of Financial Regulation issued guidance on consumer credit. The guidance urges businesses to: waive late fees as well as online and telephone payment fees; forego negative credit reporting during the health emergency; offer modification, forbearance, and other loss mitigation options; reach out to borrowers proactively to provide information on available assistance; and ensure that all borrower-facing staff are fully informed regarding any assistance available, and are proactive in informing borrowers of such.
NYDFS provides emergency relief to consumers
On March 24, NYDFS issued an emergency regulation providing financial relief to New Yorkers affected by Covid-19. Among other things, New York regulated institutions must (i) make applications for forbearance of any payment due on a residential mortgage of a property located in New York, widely available to any individual who resides in New York and who demonstrates financial hardship as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and (ii) subject to the safety and soundness requirements of the regulated institution, grant such forbearance for a period of 90 days to any such individual. New York regulated banking organizations must also provide certain financial relief to individuals who can demonstrate financial hardship, including eliminating fees charged for use of certain ATMs, overdraft fees, and credit card late payment fees. The regulations also establish requirements for institutions regarding the criteria for individuals to qualify for relief, application processing, and record retention, including expedited timelines to process applications for relief.
New York issues executive order relating to financial institutions
On March 21, the New York governor issued an executive order stating that it is an “unsafe and unsound business practice” for banks to fail to “grant a forbearance to any person or business who has a financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic for a period of 90 days.” The Order directs the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) to promulgate emergency regulations to mandate that applications for forbearance be made widely available for consumers. Additionally, the order empowers the NYDFS to promulgate emergency regulations to direct that, solely for the period of the Covid-19 emergency, fees for the use of automated teller machines (ATMs), overdraft fees and credit card late fees, may be restricted or modified in accordance with the Superintendent’s regulation of licensed or regulated entities, “taking into account the financial impact on the New York consumer, the safety and soundness of the licensed or regulated entity, and any applicable federal requirements.”
Connecticut Department of Banking issues guidance to residential mortgage servicers
On March 18, the Connecticut Department of Banking issued guidance to residential mortgage servicers on Covid-19-related issues. The Department encourages mortgage servicers to work with all borrowers whose ability to make loan repayments may be impacted by Covid-19. Such efforts may include waiving late fees, offering forbearance plans or other deferment options, and having adequate staff available to proactively work with borrowers. Mortgage servicers should also inform their internal and external collection teams regarding the servicers’ policies so that borrowers receive information about possible accommodations. The guidance also notes that Connecticut is extending Small Business Express loans for 90 days, offering a 90-day grace period on making payments, and delaying payment of some business taxes for 60 to 90 days.
Maryland issues industry advisory to mortgage servicers
On March 24, the Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation issued an industry advisory to mortgage servicers. The Commissioner strongly urges all Maryland-licensed mortgage servicers to take reasonable steps immediately to mitigate the impact of this crisis on their customers. Such steps may include, among others specified in the guidance, waiving late fees and online telephone payment fees, foregoing credit reporting during the health emergency or reporting payment information to credit reporting agencies in a manner that minimizes the impact of delinquent payment on borrowers’ credit histories, offering forbearance or other options to allow borrowers to defer payments, and reaching out to borrowers proactively to provide information on available assistance. The advisory also reminds servicers that all foreclosures of residential properties and the evictions in Maryland have been stayed in accordance with an order issued on March 18, 2020.
CSBS asks Fed and Treasury to create liquidity facility to support mortgage servicers
On March 25, CSBS President and CEO John W. Ryan sent a letter to Federal Reserve Board Governor Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin encouraging the agencies to create a liquidity facility under Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act to support mortgage servicers “in anticipation of widespread borrower payment forbearance.” According to the letter, CSBS members—state regulatory agencies responsible for regulating bank and nonbank financial companies—have expressed concerns regarding liquidity and solvency in the mortgage servicing sector, and are particularly focused on monitoring the financial condition of nonbank mortgage servicers. Without a liquidity facility, CSBS warned that “mortgage servicers will experience a severe liquidity shortage that may threaten their continued viability, and by extension, the health of the nation’s housing finance market.”
Fannie Mae issues multifamily investor communication regarding Covid-19
On March 20, Fannie Mae published responses to frequently asked questions related to the impact of Covid-19 on Multifamily MBS and CRT programs. Among other things, the responses clarified that for loans granted forbearance due to Covid-19, Fannie Mae “will continue to advance principal and interest payments on the MBS for at least 120 days and may choose to advance for up to two years before being required to buy the mortgage loan out of the MBS trust.” With respect to the CRT program, Fannie Mae reiterated its commitment to take proactive loss mitigation measures to reduce the likelihood and severity of any losses for any loan that indicates an increased risk of default.