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CFPB announces $5.5 million loss mitigation settlement
On December 18, the CFPB announced a settlement with a mortgage servicer for allegedly violating the CFPA and RESPA’s implementing regulation, Regulation X, due to widespread failures in the handling and processing of homeowners’ applications for loss mitigation options. According to the consent order, which was entered with the mortgage servicer’s successor in interest, the mortgage servicer violated Regulation X by, among other things, failing to (i) state in the acknowledgement notices the additional documents and information borrowers needed to submit to complete loss mitigation applications; (ii) provide a reasonable due date for submission of borrower documents; (iii) properly evaluate borrowers for all loss mitigation options available to them; and (iv) treat certain applications as “facially complete” in accordance with Regulation X. Additionally, the consent order states that the servicer’s alleged failure to “accurately review, process, track, and communicate to borrowers information regarding their applications for loss mitigation options” is an unfair act or practice and the alleged failure to send accurate acknowledgement notices is a deceptive act or practice. The Bureau asserts that the servicer’s failures delayed or deprived some borrowers of a reasonable opportunity to obtain the benefits of a loss mitigation option, resulting in additional harm such as negative credit reporting, additional late fees, and additional interest.
The consent order requires the successor in interest to pay nearly $5 million in total redress to over 11,000 consumers. The consent order also imposes a $500,000 civil money penalty and includes requirements for operational changes should the successor in interest resume mortgage servicing operations.
OFAC designates Cuban state-owned businesses for evading U.S. sanctions
On December 21, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions pursuant to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations against three state-owned entities “controlled by the Cuban military with strategic roles in the Cuban economy.” According to OFAC, the entities are identified on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, with two of the entities being designated for, among other things, using “their Panamanian incorporation to subvert international trade restrictions.” One of the sanctioned entities, OFAC notes, is a financial investment and remittance company “authorized by the Central Bank of Cuba to finance export operations, conduct financial leasing operations, and handle commercial distribution of remittance cards.” Find continuing InfoBytes coverage on the Cuban Assets Control Regulations here.
Washington extends garnishment protection to federal stimulus payments
On January 4, Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued a proclamation, extending the state’s moratorium on garnishments related to consumer debts (previously covered here, here, here and here,) and adding federal stimulus payments to the list of funds that are protected from garnishment. Protected funds already included state and federal unemployment payments. These protections were set to expire by January 19 until the governor issued an additional proclamation, extending the moratorium “until the termination of the Covid-19 State of Emergency or until rescinded.”
Colorado prohibits late rent payment fees
On December 31, the Colorado governor issued Executive Order D 2020 307, prohibiting landlords, mobile home park owners, management entities, and agents of all of the foregoing from charging any fee or penalty against a tenant or mobile home owner based on untimely payment of rent. Any late payment fees charged on or after January 31 will apply only to rent due on or after that date.
New York enacts moratorium on Covid-related evictions and foreclosures
On December 28, the New York enacted the Covid-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 (see the press release here). Among other things, the act imposes a moratorium on residential evictions for tenants that experienced Covid-related hardships through May 1, 2021, in addition to mandating specific disclosures regarding evictions. It also suspends residential foreclosures until May 1, 2021, enabling Covid-impacted homeowners and landlords with 10 or fewer residential dwellings to file hardship declarations with their mortgage lender to prevent foreclosure. The act also contains provisions prohibiting certain tax lien sales and Covid-related discrimination by lenders.
VA re-extends foreclosure and eviction moratorium for borrowers affected by Covid-19
On December 28, the Department of Veterans Affairs issued Circular 26-20-40, which further extends foreclosure and eviction relief for borrowers affected by Covid-19 (previously covered here). Specifically, all properties secured by VA-guaranteed loans, including those previously secured by VA-guaranteed loans but currently in the VA’s REO (real estate owned) portfolio, are subject to a moratorium on foreclosure and eviction through February 28, 2021. With the exception of abandoned or vacant property, the moratorium applies to the initiation of foreclosures, the completion of foreclosures in process and evictions.
HUD re-extends procedures to address Section 232 mortgage insurance issues
On December 28, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued Mortgagee Letter 2020-50, which extends interim procedures regarding site access issues related to Section 232 mortgage insurance applications during the Covid-19 pandemic (previously covered here, here and here). The guidance provides temporary modifications pertaining to third-party site inspections conducted for Section 232 FHA-insured healthcare facilities. The modifications are effective through March 31, 2021. The letter also provides guidance on other aspects relating to Section 232 properties, including regarding lender underwriter site visits, appraisals, and inspections on new construction, among other things.
Fannie Mae extends Covid-19 forbearance delegation for multi-family units through March 2021
On December 22, Fannie Mae issued Supplement 20-16 extending the expiration of its Covid-19 forbearance delegation for servicers of multi-family units until March 31, 2021. The forbearance delegation authorizes servicers to grant initial forbearances of up to 3 months, and extensions for an additional 3 months, subject to various requirements. Specific forms are provided for servicer’s use in granting forbearances and extensions.
Rhode Island extends its work from home provisions for lenders
On December 22, 2020, the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation extended interim guidance permitting mortgage loan originators, lenders, loan brokers, and exempt company registrants to work from home, even if the home is not a “licensed branch” or located outside of Rhode Island (previously covered here, here, and here.) To take advantage of this exemption, the individual must maintain certain specified data security provisions. This extension is set to expire March 31, 2021.
FHA extends Covid-19 foreclosure moratorium and other flexibilities
On December 21, FHA announced the extension of several Covid-19-related flexibilities, which were set to expire on December 31. Specifically, FHA further extended its foreclosure and eviction moratorium through February 28. The moratorium applies to homeowners with FHA-insured Title II Single Family forward and Home Equity Conversion (reverse) mortgages, excluding legally vacant or abandoned properties. Additionally, FHA extended the date by which borrowers must engage with their servicer to obtain an initial Covid-19 forbearance to February 28 (details on the Covid-19 forbearance covered by InfoBytes here), and requires that mortgage servicers provide up to 6 months of forbearance or an additional 6 month extension of the initial Covid-19 forbearance. The FHA also extended (i) the timeframe for providing an insurance endorsement on single family mortgages in forbearance through March 31; (ii) the temporary re-verification of employment guidance and exterior-only appraisal inspection option through February 28; and (iii) temporary provisions for verification of self-employment, rental income, and 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage escrow accounts through February 28.