HUD to Warn FHA Lenders on Excessive Fees

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is preparing to issue an "alert" soon that warns Federal Housing Administration lenders about paying "excessive" fees to non-FHA-approved mortgage brokers."We are concerned [that] consumers are being charged excessive fees," a HUD spokesman said. He said HUD is planning to warn FHA lenders soon that these fees could be "duplicative." While non-approved brokers can refer clients to FHA lenders, they are not allowed to take FHA applications or originate FHA loans. Nevertheless, FHA lenders are soliciting non-approved brokers to bring them customers and loans to process. HUD investigators have found that some lenders are charging borrowers points and paying $4,000 to $5,000 to the brokers. The National Association of Mortgage Brokers said it condemns this practice, which circumvents the FHA's approval process for originators. "This loophole needs to be closed as part of FHA reform" legislation, NAMB president George Hanzimanolis said.