Servicing

Affordability constraints have made borrowers who bought properties within the last 12 months increasingly vulnerable to price declines.

The change may decrease the amount of time that a servicer is required to hold a loan on their balance sheet.

The agency added increased emphasis on loss mitigation and special purpose credit programs following heightened calls for more participation in the latter from a minority trade group.

The industry is largely seeking, for example, a broader application of deferrals the Federal Housing Finance Agency recently authorized for use later this year.

The new business line offers consumer-facing digital strategies and analysis of related data that can help with customer retention.

The decision in the Empire State's highest court could expand the options for owners who never received required notifications in that jurisdiction, and potentially others nationwide.

The latest version of the tool integrates more detailed data on social variables like race, income, disability and English language proficiency.

The year-over-year drop in January stemmed primarily from loans where a payment had not been made in at least 120 days but shorter-term arrears were higher during the same period.

The new foreclosure prevention option will be available for servicers' use on a voluntary basis starting on July 1 and will become mandatory in situations where it's appropriate for borrowers beginning Oct. 1.

In total, around 98,000 loans with a principal balance of $31.8 billion are in the cover pools for the two new insurance-based transactions.