DoJ

The unusual nature of a recent lawsuit from the Department of Justice has put a multi-billion-dollar industry in the position of deciding either to violate federal law or run afoul of the DOJ, writes the former Chief Legal Officer of Research In Motion Ltd.

In a complaint filed by the Justice Department on Friday, antitrust enforcers said RealPage's software, which helps landlords set rental unit pricing, has effectively raised prices on renters illegally.

In late July, the Justice Department notified the Houston bank of a potential lawsuit alleging violations between 2013 and 2017, according to a securities filing. Cadence said that its prospective merger partner, BancorpSouth, supports the settlement discussions.

The department's antitrust division said Thursday that it was withdrawing from the November 2020 agreement because its terms prevent the division from continuing to investigate association rules that may harm homebuyers and sellers.

The Michigan lender agreed in 2012 to pay $133 million to resolve civil fraud charges tied to government-backed mortgages. But the deal with the Justice Department came with a catch that eventually allowed Flagstar to pay far less.

The three companies agreed to pay a total of $74 million in remediation.

If the underwriters' option is exercised, proceeds will bring in $112 million instead of a possible $176 million.

The accusations against Nutter Home Loans, like an earlier settlement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, center on concerns related to FHA-insured reverse mortgages. The company "strongly disputes" them.

Through Operation Corrupt Collector, the bureau is coordinating with over 50 other state and federal agencies to target firms for wrongdoing and inform consumers of their rights

Citing possible exploitation, Bank of America instituted a policy that put limits on loans to persons in guardianship. It later ended the policy.