Freddie Mac has agreed to pay a $50 million civil money penalty to settle government charges that the giant mortgage company engaged in securities fraud from 1998 to 2002.The Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that the publicly traded government-sponsored enterprise manipulated earnings and engaged in transactions to nullify the effects of a new hedge accounting rule. This resulted in the misrepresentation of the company's financial results and forced Freddie to restate its earnings for 2000, 2001, and 2002. "We take these charges seriously, and that's why the Freddie Mac of today is a very different company from the Freddie Mac of the past," said Freddie Mac chairman and chief executive Richard Syron. As part of the settlement, four former Freddie executives settled charges of negligent conduct without admitting or denying the charges (see item below). Freddie Mac can be found online at http://www.freddiemac.com.
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A federal judge in Texas dismissed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's medical debt rule and prohibited states from passing their own laws prohibiting medical debt on credit reports.
July 11 -
Dr. Mark Calabria takes on the additional role of chief statistician of the United States; retired Ally Bank executive Diane Morais has joined First Citizens Bancshares' board of directors; MainStreet Bank has promoted Alex Vari to chief financial officer; and more in this week's banking news roundup.
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While refinances are behind the latest increases, the pace of purchase activity may be a stronger indicator of where the housing market sits.
July 11 -
The share of economists expecting a September rate reduction grew in the July Wolters Kluwer survey, but the October or later percentage also increased.
July 11 -
Rising home prices and softening sales offer a mixed view of a market that some say is shifting to favor buyers.
July 11 -
The notes are backed by home improvement installment loans originated by approved dealers in Foundation Finance Company's network.
July 11