InfoBytes Blog
Filter
Subscribe to our InfoBytes Blog weekly newsletter and other publications for news affecting the financial services industry.
CFPB Proposes Changes to Qualified Mortgage and Mortgage Servicing Rules
On April 19, the CFPB proposed a rule to amend and clarify certain provisions of its final qualified mortgage rule and final mortgage servicing rule. The proposal addresses (i) preemption issues with regard to Regulation X’s servicing provisions, (ii) the small servicer exemption from certain of the new servicing standards, (iii) the use of government-sponsored enterprise and federal agency purchase, guarantee, or insurance eligibility for determining qualified mortgage status, and (iv) the determination of debt and income for purposes of originating qualified mortgages. With regard to small servicers, the proposal would clarify which mortgage loans to consider in determining small servicer status and the application of the small servicer exemption to servicer/affiliate and master servicer/subservicer relationships. It would exclude from consideration mortgage loans voluntarily serviced for an unaffiliated entity without remuneration, reverse mortgages, and mortgage loans secured by a consumer’s interest in timeshare plans. With regard to debt-to-income ratio assessments for purposes of offering qualified mortgages, the rule would amend language related to employment record and income, obtaining business credit reports and other issues related to self-employed borrowers, and the treatment of Social Security and rental income.
Minnesota Supreme Court Affirms that Foreclosing Parties Must Record Mortgage Assignments Prior to Initiating Foreclosure by Advertisement
On April 17, the Minnesota Supreme Court affirmed an intermediate appellate court ruling that held (i) a strict compliance standard applies to Minnesota’s foreclosure by advertisement process, and (ii) a foreclosure by advertisement is void where the foreclosing party fails to record all mortgage assignments prior to initiating the foreclosure process. Ruiz v. 1st Fidelity Loan Servicing, LLC, No. A11-1081, 2013 WL 1629192 (Minn. Apr. 17, 2013). The case arose after an assignment correcting the name of the assignee was recorded on the same day that the assignee (i) published the first notice of foreclosure sale, and (ii) recorded a notice of pendency of foreclosure. After the assignee foreclosed on the property, the mortgagor brought an action in Minnesota District Court seeking to void the foreclosure by arguing that foreclosing parties must comply strictly with Minnesota’s foreclosure by advertisement process. The district court granted summary judgment in the assignee’s favor, concluding, among other things, that a substantial-compliance standard, rather than a strict compliance standard, applies to Minnesota’s foreclosure by advertisement process. The Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed the district court on appeal, holding instead that a strict compliance standard applies to Minnesota’s foreclosure by advertisement process. On further appeal, the state supreme court analyzed the statutory language containing Minnesota’s foreclosure by advertisement process and determined that the plain language of the statute unambiguously requires all mortgage assignments to be recorded before a foreclosing party has a right to engage in the process of foreclosure by advertisement. As a result, the court determined that the assignee’s foreclosure was void and that the case should be remanded to the district court for further proceedings.
Freddie Mac Announces Numerous Servicing Policy Updates
On April 15, Freddie Mac issued Bulletin Number 2013-6, which announces numerous revisions to servicing requirements. The bulletin updates the allowable amounts for attorney fees for default-related legal services and details changes to the reimbursement process for such fees. Freddie Mac also reminds servicers about changes to foreclosure sale bidding on first lien mortgages. The bulletin explains that because Freddie Mac may need to verify directly with mortgage insurers the presence and nature of mortgage insurance coverage, servicers and sellers are required to direct mortgage insurers in writing to release data to Freddie Mac upon request. In addition, the bulletin (i) reminds servicers of the reporting activities they must undertake after extending trial periods for borrowers who subsequently file for bankruptcy during the trial period plan and provides requirements on reporting the optional interim month, (ii) revises Servicing Success Program requirements related to Servicer Success File Reviews and the Servicer Performance Profile, (iii) updates the Guide to reflect the retirement of the Freddie Mac Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives initiative, and (iv) announces other miscellaneous form and Guide updates.
Fannie Mae Revises Execution of Legal Documents Policy, Changes Bidding Instructions Format
On April 17, Fannie Mae issued Servicing Guide Announcement SVC-2013-09, which revises Fannie Mae’s execution of legal documents policy related to (i) quitclaim deeds, (ii) limited power of attorney, (iii) execution of assumptions, and (iv) releases of security. The policy changes are effective immediately. Also on April 17, Fannie Mae issued a servicing notice to inform servicers of a change in the format for bidding instructions to help clarify the situations in which specific bidding instructions must be used.
FHFA Announces Two-Year HARP Extension
On April 11, the FHFA announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will extend the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) to December 31, 2015. The program was set to expire at the end of 2013. In addition, the FHFA plans to launch a nationwide campaign to educate consumers about HARP. The FHFA announcement also includes HARP frequently-asked-questions and eligibility criteria for a HARP refinance.
Fannie Mae Updates Delinquency Status Reporting Policies
On April 10, Fannie Mae issued Servicing Guide Announcement SVC-2013-08, which introduces a delinquency status code hierarchy and updates delinquency status code definitions. The hierarchy requires servicers to report the most appropriate delinquency status code based on priority level, using a six level priority hierarchy. The announcement explains that when multiple delinquency status codes are applicable to an individual loan, the servicer must use the appropriate delinquency status code in the highest priority, though Priority Level 1 through 3 status codes are mutually exclusive. The changes will take effect for the February 2014 delinquency status code reporting cycle (for January 2014 activity), though Fannie Mae encourages servicers to implement the new policies as soon as possible.
Bank Regulators Announce First Foreclosure Review Payments
On April 9, the Federal Reserve Board and the OCC announced that payments to borrowers impacted by allegedly improper foreclosure practices would begin on April 12, 2013. The planned payments range from $300 to $125,000, and will be sent to certain borrowers whose mortgages were serviced by 11 of the 13 mortgage servicers subject to recently amended consent orders that replaced requirements related to the Independent Foreclosure Review process with $3.6 billion in cash payments and $5.7 billion in other assistance to 4.2 million borrowers. Payments to borrowers with mortgages serviced by two other servicers will be announced later. The payments will be sent in several waves, with the last wave expected to be sent in mid-July 2013. The announcement notes that the regulators categorized borrowers according to the stage of their foreclosure process and the type of possible servicer error. Then, amounts were determined for each category using the financial remediation matrix published in June 2012 as guidance, but also incorporating input from various consumer groups. The Board and the OCC also published a chart of payment amounts and the number of borrowers identified for each category.
State Law Update: Indiana Amends Lien Release Provisions
On April 1, Indiana enacted a bill to retroactively amend certain lien release provisions. The bill, HB 1079, provides that if the record of a mortgage or vendor's lien was created before July 1, 2012 and does not show the due date of the last installment, the mortgage or vendor's lien expires 20 years after the date of execution of the mortgage or vendor's lien. If the execution date is omitted, the lien expires 20 years after the lien is recorded. Prior to this change, all liens expired after 10 years. The bill also (i) makes exceptions to the expiration period if a foreclosure action is brought not later than the expiration period, and (ii) removes language that prohibits a person from maintaining an action to foreclose a mortgage or enforce a vendor's lien if the last installment of the debt secured by such lien has been due more than 10 years.
FDIC Announces Teleconference Series on CFPB Mortgage Rules
On April 9, the FDIC announced a series of nationwide banker teleconferences focused on the CFPB’s final mortgage rules. The first teleconference call is scheduled for May 2, 2013 and will focus on the ability-to-repay/qualified mortgage rule, the new escrow requirements, and certain aspects of the loan originator compensation rule. The second call is scheduled for May 15, 2013 and will address the CFPB’s final rule on mortgage servicing. The final call is scheduled for June 6, 2013 and will focus on the loan originator compensation rule and HOEPA amendments. The sessions are free, but individuals are required to register.
State Law Update: North Dakota Amends Mortgage Late Payment Fee Restrictions
Last month, North Dakota enacted SB 2136, which altered provisions related to late mortgage payment fees. Effective August 1, 2013, a charge for a late payment penalty may be imposed only if the amount of the late charge or the method of calculation of the late charge has been agreed to by the parties in the loan documents that are signed by the borrower. Under current law, servicers can charge up to $15 or 15% of the late payment, whichever is less, unless otherwise agreed to in the real estate note or mortgage. The new law also removes language stating that any contract attempting to make the rate of interest higher after maturity is void as to the increase of interest. Instead, the new law will allow parties to agree in writing to a different rate of interest after maturity.