Law and regulation

The financial crisis brought with it an onset of unprecedented problems that now serve as the teaching lesson of our strict regulatory environment.

As FHFA director, Mel Watt will review proposed loan fee hikes.

Federal Housing Finance Agency claims against 12 companies, including Goldman Sachs Group and Bank of America, are still in litigation.

Lenders don’t have to reveal internal reviews of the property’s value.

The agency has been modifying this rule since the start of 2013.

Insiders find Federal Reserve changes to its so-called quantitative easing policies in 2014 are not enough to ease housing market uncertainty.

So far, the big mortgage servicers have received stellar report cards for their compliance with the $25 billion national settlement. That could change this year as testing gets tougher—potentially costing these companies further embarrassment and penalties.

One of the nation’s largest wholesale mortgage lenders is telling its brokers they can no longer negotiate the amount of their fee with borrowers.

Brokers are wary the current regulatory regime will keep underwriting standards tight.

The American Bankers Association has backed off its request for a ruling prior to yearend.

Technology might be key to stay in compliance with the QM rule.

The mortgage market will undergo radical change on Jan. 10, when virtually every aspect of home financing will be commandeered by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Including the Wells settlement, Fannie has collected nearly $14 billion from eight large mortgage lenders since the start of 2013.

You have just a few days before the new rules go into effect.

Home sales will rise, home price appreciation will slow, purchases will dominate, government-related securitizations will drop, and commercial ones will grow, according to these forecasts. (Image: Fotolia.)

The company sold a bank trust-preferred collateralized debt obligation with a par value of about $2.7 million for $700,000

The Federal Housing Administration is handcuffed but Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s new regulator is expected to favor broader mortgage financing terms for borrowers.

Mortgage brokers will continue to survive under the qualified mortgage rule.

There are certain compliance requirements/items that a lender should have done already (or should do immediately) given the January deadline for regulatory change that is almost upon the industry.

The question triggers a whole array of responses. But after a five-year onslaught of new rules and enforcement, some see a brighter regulatory future for banks.