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On September 22, 2014 the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) announced the availability of data on mortgage lending transactions at 7,190 U.S. financial institutions covered by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Covered institutions include banks, savings associations, credit unions, and mortgage companies.   The HMDA data cover 2013 lending activity, and include applications, originations, purchases and sales of loans, denials, and other actions related to applications. The data also include disclosure statements for

Are we in a time warp? Are we back in the 80’s? On September 15, 2014 the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a settlement agreement with  U.S. Bank National Association, U.S. Bank subsidiary Red Sky Risk Services, LLC (formerly known as USB Lending Support Services, LLC), and one of U.S. Bank’s loan officers, resolving allegations that they refused to refinance the mortgage of a Native American couple in Belcourt, North Dakota, because

On July 1, 2014 the federal financial institution regulatory agencies published guidance regarding the risk associated with Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs) transitioning from their draw periods to full repayment. This is not a new issue. HELOCs have been part of product mix for financial institutions since the 1980s. Most HELOCs have a five or ten year draw period. During the draw period, a borrower has revolving access to unused amounts under a specified

On August 22, 2014 the Federal Reserve Board requested comment on a proposal to repeal its Regulation AA (Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices). Also on Friday, the Board, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Administration, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued guidance clarifying that the repeal of the credit practices rules applicable to banks, savings associations, and federal credit unions is not a determination that the

Last month, on the occasion of its third anniversary, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) touted its numerous successes in its three years of existence, including $4.6 billion in relief and refunds for consumers. That number will take a big jump when the CFPB adds in its recent $16.65 billion settlement with Bank of America. A $16.65 billion settlement is big number by any measurement. But subsequently it has been reported that B of A