Few Banks See 'Hope Now' Impact as 'Very Significant'

Over 70% of commercial banks expect the performance of their single-family loan portfolios will deteriorate in 2008, but most don't expect the streamlined loan modification plan endorsed by the Hope Now Alliance will have a significant impact on their loan mitigation efforts. The vast majority of banks expect to take a "case-by-case" approach to loan modifications, according to a Federal Reserve Board survey of senior loan officers. Only six of the 45 banks surveyed in January said streamlined modifications endorsed by the Hope Now alliance would play a "very significant" role in their attempts to prevent foreclosures. A large number of respondents indicated they expect to refinance subprime borrowers into Federal Housing Administration or conventional loans. More than 65% of respondents also anticipate using short sales or deed-in-lieu of foreclosure as a significant loss mitigation strategy, the Fed said.