Archive

CFPB RULES WILL SIMPLIFY/STRANGLE MORTGAGE POINTS AND FEES

On May 9, 2012 the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) outlined rules it is considering that would simplify (or strangle) mortgage points and fees. These rules, which the CFPB expects to propose this summer and finalize by January 2013, would make it easier for consumers to understand mortgage costs and compare loans so they can choose the best deal. The CFPB is considering proposals, required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act […]

APPRAISAL SURVEY

Section 1026.41(f) of Regulation Z states, “The creditor and its agents shall compensate a fee appraiser for performing appraisal services at a rate that is customary and reasonable for comparable appraisal services performed in the geographic market of the property being appraised.” To assure the appraisal fee is “customary and reasonable” the creditor may either conduct its own appraiser survey or obtain a survey from a third party. In the past, several companies offer their […]

CFPB – A CONTINUATION OF THE SAME OLD STORY

It is not that often that a new federal financial institution regulatory agency is created, but when it happens one can only hope for something better than what existed before. But the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) continues to disappoint. The latest disappointment is relatively minor. In their regulatory agenda published last fall the CFPB stated that final rules revising Regulation Z provisions dealing with the borrower’s ability to repay would be published in April […]

SERVICING RULES – PREVIEW

Recently the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau outlined major new rules that impact mortgage loan servicing. The rules, which revise the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, are required by the Dodd-Frank Act. Under the rules servicers must: Provide periodic statements for all residential mortgage loans; Provide a new notice 6 months prior to interest rate reset on ARM loans; Provide notices and establish other requirements for force-placed insurance; Credit payments […]

CFPB BULLETIN 2012-04 –FAIR LENDING

On April 18, 2012 the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued CFPB Bulletin 2012-04 that explains the agency’s position on compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B. The bulletin does not offer any new insights into Fair Lending issues, but the CFPB certainly makes it clear that the agency is focusing on fair lending issues not only in mortgage lending, but also in credit cards, student loans and auto loans. A copy of […]