The U.S. Attorney and the Department of Housing and Urban Development are seeking a court injunction to ban Lend America, Melville, N.Y., from originating FHA loans, accusing the nonbank lender with fraud in regard to $14 million in product. A spokesman for the company - which also does business as Ideal Mortgage Bankers Ltd. - issued a statement saying it was taken by surprise by the complaint and expects to continue doing business. It added that it plans to "respond more completely once all allegations are reviewed." In a joint statement from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and the HUD Inspector General's office, the government says Lend America/Ideal "falsely certified" that borrowers met FHA underwriting requirements. Using the civil courts, the government is seeking injunctive relief from both the company and its chief business strategist Michael Ashley. According to figures compiled by National Mortgage News, Lend America ranks 18th nationwide in terms of GNMA MBS issuance. It services about $850 million in GNMA-backed products. Lend America recently stepped up plans for expansion into correspondent mortgage banking and wholesale that included FHA production.
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Title insurers, whose activity is highly correlated to mortgage production, wrote $15.1 billion in premiums during 2023, down from $21 billion in 2022 and $26.2 billion for the year before that.
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The Federal Open Market Committee held the federal funds rate at current levels, citing "lack of further progress" toward meeting inflation goals.
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Both quasi-public mortgage investors have new requirements for when borrowers question valuations. Freddie Mac is expanding use of title insurance alternatives.
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A new policy directive aims to fortify critical infrastructure by enhancing collaboration between U.S. intelligence agencies and systemically important financial entities.
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Mark Warren and Thom Tillis have introduced the Secure Artificial Intelligence Act of 2024 to address the unique risks of AI.
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The April 26 update came two days after the group received preliminary approval for the Sitzer/Burnett agreement.
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