Compliance & Regulation

Royal Bank of Scotland Group fell after the Times reported in London that the U.K. lender could pay at least $7.7 billion to resolve claims of misconduct in its handling of U.S. mortgage securities.

Golden First Mortgage Corp. agreed to a $36 million settlement of claims that the company — which allegedly saw 60% of its government underwritten loans go into default since 2002 — defrauded a federal mortgage program.

Take a look back at National Mortgage News' top stories of 2014.

Bank servicers have a compliance dilemma: they need to quickly shed mortgage-servicing rights ahead of Basel III at a time when regulators are keeping a close watch on the manner in which transfers are handled.

Ocwen Financial's settlement with New York regulators could have a negative impact on the cash flows of mortgage bonds heavily exposed to loans serviced by Ocwen in that state, according to Moody's Investors Service.

The Lasting Impact Award honors an individual, group or company responsible for a technology initiative or development proven to have an enduring influence that's transformed mortgage finance. Learn about this year's finalists and see who won the 2014 MT Award.

The Justice Department is aiming to settle a probe into Morgan Stanley's subprime mortgage business by early 2015.

Incentives for companies aren't the same as incentives for people. The QRM risk-retention rule doesn't solve "IBG, YBG" — "I'll be gone, you'll be gone." Banks appear to have been slow to adopt clawback policies for individual lenders.

Borrowers who are being sued by lenders over the money owed on foreclosed mortgages are making novel use of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. They argue that they cannot be sued if they live in a state different from the one where the property is located.

After 2014's sweeping reforms, which put huge strain on lenders' operations, 2015 may not look so bad. But big potential changes still loom