CFPB, Federal Agencies, State Agencies, and Attorneys General
The National Flood Insurance Program’s authorization to write new policies will expire December 20, unless Congress acts to extend it.
An extension had been included in the Continuing Resolution that the House and Senate were poised to consider this week. That legislation would have funded many federal programs until March 14.… Continue Reading
As previously reported, this summer the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) filed a housing discrimination charge under the Fair Housing Act against an appraisal company, individual appraiser, appraisal management company and lender based on an asserted biased appraisal and denial of a mortgage refinance loan application based on the appraisal.… Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has extended from January 1, 2025 until July 1, 2025, the compliance date for certain provisions of the department’s rule entitled “Modernization of Engagement with Mortgagors in Default.’’
That rule requires mortgagees to conduct meetings with all mortgagors in default.
As revised by the Modernization of Engagement with Mortgagors in Default final rule, 24 CFR 203.604(a)(3) the HUD rule will require that ‘‘[a] reasonable effort to arrange a meeting with the mortgagor shall consist of, at a minimum, two verifiable attempts to contact the mortgagor utilizing methods determined by the Secretary.’’… Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently proposed rules to modify the requirements for the reporting of VA guaranteed mortgage loans, and the rules regarding when the VA would assert a defense for a partial or total loss of a guaranty for a VA guaranteed mortgage loan. Comments on the proposal are due by January 21, 2025.… Continue Reading
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently announced the conforming loan limits for residential mortgage loans acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2025. Fannie Mae addresses the limits in Lender Letter 2024-03.
As was expected based on the continuing increase in housing prices, the limits increased significantly. The standard loan limit for a one-unit home increased from $766,550 in 2024 to $806,500 for 2025. … Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced the 2025 loan limits for FHA insured forward mortgage loans and FHA insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs). The announcements were made in Mortgagee Letter 2024-21 and Mortgagee Letter 2024-22, respectively.
For forward mortgage loans in non-high cost areas, the amount for a single unit home increased from $498,257 in 2024 to $524,225 in 2025. … Continue Reading
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced it will allow National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) premiums to be paid on an installment basis. The final rule implements an installment payment option that was mandated by Congress in the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, adopted in 2012, for policyholders who are not required to pay into escrow for flood insurance premiums. … Continue Reading
The CFPB recently announced that the Filing Instruction Guide (FIG) for the submission of Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data collected in 2025 is now available. The FIG, issued by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, may be accessed here.
HMDA data for 2025 must be submitted on or before March 2, 2026.… Continue Reading
The House and Senate on September 25, 2024 passed legislation that would extend key parts of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until December 20, 2024. The extension is included in H.R. 9747, which also would provide funds for much of the federal government to keep operating until that date.
President Biden has said he will sign the legislation.… Continue Reading
In connection with its guaranteed home loan program, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced in Circular 26-24-17 requirements when a party assuming a VA guaranteed loan in connection with the purchase of a home also obtains a secondary mortgage to help finance the purchase. The VA notes that a VA guaranteed home loan, other than for repairs, alterations, or improvements, must be secured by a first lien and that when a party assuming an existing VA loan also obtains secondary financing, if the secondary loan is not processed correctly it can jeopardize the VA guaranteed home loan’s first lien position.… Continue Reading
