Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., has joined Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, in co-sponsoring a Federal Housing Administration reform bill that the Bush administration wants to pass this year.The FHA reform package represents the Department of Housing and Urban Development's efforts to modernize the FHA program, provide safer and lower-cost loan products for subprime borrowers, and gain back market share for the 70-year-old single-family mortgage insurance program. The FHA reform bill (H.R. 5121) would substantially increase FHA loan limits and eliminate a 3% downpayment calculation so that borrowers could get a zero-down FHA loan or make a downpayment to reduce their insurance premiums under a new risk-based premium structure. The reform package also includes enhancements to the FHA's condominium and reverse-mortgage programs. And it revamps the manufactured housing program so that the FHA can provide co-insurance on individual "home-only" MH loans. Congressman Ney chairs the House Financial Services subcommittee on housing, and Rep. Waters is the ranking Democrat on the panel. Reps. Gary Miller, R-Calif., and Patrick Tiberi, R-Ohio, have also signed up as co-sponsors.
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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.
6h ago -
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.
9h ago -
While refinances are behind the latest increases, the pace of purchase activity may be a stronger indicator of where the housing market sits.
11h ago -
The share of economists expecting a September rate reduction grew in the July Wolters Kluwer survey, but the October or later percentage also increased.
11h ago -
Rising home prices and softening sales offer a mixed view of a market that some say is shifting to favor buyers.
11h ago -
The notes are backed by home improvement installment loans originated by approved dealers in Foundation Finance Company's network.
July 11