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Fannie Mae Gives Notices of Lender-Placed Insurance Changes
On March 6, Fannie Mae notified servicers that it will soon change its Lender-Placed Insurance (LPI) requirements. As reported by several media outlets, Fannie Mae has asked insurance companies to compete for Fannie Mae LPI business. Through the proposal Fannie Mae wants to ensure that insurance costs are significantly reduced. It plans to issue new policy guidelines regarding (i) when and how to procure LPI, and (ii) allowed reimbursable costs associated with LPI.
Fannie Mae Provides Guidance Regarding Hardest-Hit Fund
On March 6, Fannie Mae issued Servicing Guide Lender Letter LL-2012-02 to all single-family servicers to provide guidance in connection with transition assistance programs under the Hardest-Hit Fund (HHF). Effective immediately, servicers must facilitate the borrowers’ receipt of HHF funds in connection with transition assistance programs on Fannie Mae loans, including those held in a Fannie Mae portfolio or those in an MBS pool with the special servicing option or a shared-risk MBS pool for which Fannie Mae markets the acquired property. The Lender Letter also clarifies policies related to implementation of the HHF unemployment, reinstatement, and loan modification assistance programs, including clarifications regarding (i) collection and solicitation activity, (ii) foreclosure actions, and (iii) servicer obligations when dealing with housing finance agencies.
Jury Convicts Stanford on Ponzi Scheme Charges
On March 6, a federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas convicted Allen Stanford on thirteen of fourteen fraud counts for orchestrating a major Ponzi scheme. U.S. v. Stanford, No 09-00342 (S.D. Tex. Mar. 6, 2012). The jury found that, over the course of twenty years, Mr. Stanford and others at his firm, Stanford International Bank Ltd., misappropriated $7 billion in certificates of deposit purchased by investors. The jury subsequently found that $330 million sitting in various frozen accounts controlled by Mr. Stanford could be pursued as proceeds from the scheme. The court has set June 14, 2012 as the sentencing date, following which Mr. Stanford plans to appeal the conviction.
CFPB Acknowledges Student Loan Complaint System
On March 5, the CFPB’s student loan ombudsman, Rohit Chopra, acknowledged in a blog post that the CPFB had launched its student loan complaint system. The CFPB outlined its expectations regarding financial institution response and resolution times. It expects institutions to respond to complaints with fifteen days, and resolve complaints within sixty days. Concurrent with the opening of the complaint system, the CFPB sent a letter to university officials advising them of this new resource available for their students and alumni.
Ninth Circuit Holds Nevada AG Suit Against Bank Not Removable Under CAFA
On March 2, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that a parens patriae suit brought by Nevada’s Attorney General (AG) related to mortgage modification and foreclosure practices could not be removed from state court under the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA). Nevada v. Bank of America Corp., No 12-15005, 2012 WL 688552 (9th Cir. Mar. 2, 2012). The AG alleges that Bank of America Corp. (BAC) violated state law by misleading Nevada consumers about the terms and operation of its home mortgage modification and foreclosure processes, and that it violated a consent judgment entered between the state and several of its subsidiaries. BAC removed the case to federal court under CAFA. The district court denied the state’s motion to remand, finding that (i) it had jurisdiction over the suit as a CAFA “class action,” but not as a “mass action,” and (ii) it had federal question jurisdiction because the allegations require interpretation of the federal HAMP program and the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. On appeal, the Ninth Circuit consistent with its opinion in Washington v. Chimei Innolux Corp., 659 F.3d 842 (9th Cir. 2011), which was issued after the district court ruled on Nevada’s motion, held that a parens patriae suit does not qualify as a class action removable under CAFA, and does not otherwise satisfy CAFA’s “mass action” requirements. The court reasoned that Nevada is the real party in interest and therefore held that the case could not qualify as a mass action removable under CAFA. The Ninth Circuit also held that, because only state law causes of action are alleged and there is no overriding federal interest, the district court does not have federal question jurisdiction.
Virginia Enacts Two Mortgage-Related Bills
On March 1, Virginia enacted two mortgage-related bills, both effective July 1, 2012. HB 570 exempts employees of bona fide nonprofit organizations from licensing and registration requirements applicable to mortgage loan originators. It also, among other things, (i) adds definitions for dwelling and residential mortgage loan, (ii) revises the definitions for loan processor or underwriter, mortgage loan originator, real estate brokerage activities, registered mortgage loan originator, and unique identifier, (iii) revises the licensing requirement for mortgage loan originators and adds exemptions for certain individuals, and (iv) prohibits licensees from using unique identifiers for any purpose other than the SAFE Act and the Virginia Mortgage Loan Originators law. HB 572 exempts from licensure under the NMLS persons who make loans or extend credit for any part of the purchase price of real property that the person owns.
Federal Reserve Issues Guidance Regarding Supervisory Rating Upgrades
On March 2, the Federal Reserve Board released guidance describing the factors that it will employ to evaluate whether to upgrade a community banking organization’s supervisory ratings. The guidance explains that examiners should use balanced judgment to assess demonstrated improvement and where improvement is likely to continue. The guidance also lists specific considerations, including, among others, the extent to which (i) the level of capital and capital planning process are appropriate relative to risk characteristics, (ii) core earnings have improved, and this trend is demonstrably sustainable, and (iii) asset quality is improving, as evidenced by a material decline of adversely classified and nonperforming assets, and this trend is expected to continue.
Federal Reserve Extends Comment Period on Proposed Rules for Oversight of Largest Banks and Systemically Important Nonbanks
On March 2, the Federal Reserve Board extended from March 31, 2012 to April 30, 2012 the comment period on its proposed rules related to supervision and regulation of (i) all U.S. bank holding companies with assets of $50 billion or more, and (ii) nonbank financial firms designated as systemically important by the Financial Stability Oversight Council.
FinCEN Issues SAR Confidentiality Reminder
On March 2, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) advised financial institutions and their lawyers that the contents of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) must remain confidential. Private parties increasingly are attempting to obtain SARs in civil litigation and other matters, but financial institutions, as well as their current and former directors, officers, employees, agents, and contractors are prohibited from disclosing SARs or any information that would reveal the existence of a SAR. FinCEN reminded covered financial institutions and individuals that unauthorized disclosure could subject them to civil and criminal penalties.
HUD Publishes Mortgagee Letters Regarding Underwriting and Premiums
On February 28, HUD issued Mortgagee Letter 2012-3 to address multiple underwriting changes for case numbers assigned on or after April 1, 2012. These changes include: (i) new documentation for self-employed borrowers for all FHA insured loans except non-credit qualifying streamline refinance loans and Home Equity Conversion Mortgage loans, (ii) new guidance for handling of disputed accounts or public records for all FHA insured loans except non-credit qualifying streamline refinances, and (iii) new definition of family member for the purpose of Identity of Interest Transactions for all FHA insured loans. A second letter, Mortgagee Letter 2012-4, issued on March 6, 2012 details recently announced changes to FHA single family mortgage insurance premiums.