On May 6, the FHFA announced that it is directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to limit future mortgage acquisitions to loans that fall under the requirements for a qualified mortgage. Starting on January 10, 2014, Fannie and Freddie will no longer be able to purchase a mortgage loan that is subject to the “ability to repay” requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act if the loan: (i) is not fully amortizing; (ii) has a term of longer than 30 years; or (iii) includes points and fees in excess of 3% of the total loan amount (or such other limits for low balance loans as set forth in the rule). FHFA Release. Fannie Mae Letter. Freddie Mac Letter.
Tag Archives: Freddie Mac
FHFA GSE Viability Reports
On May 3, the FHFA released reports prepared by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on their multifamily businesses which conclude that without government guarantees, the multifamily businesses of Fannie and Freddie have little inherent value. FHFA Release. Fannie Mae Report. Freddie Mac Report.
Second Circuit Affirms Denial of UBS’s Motion to Dismiss FHFA Complaint
On April 5, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the decision of the district court denying UBS’s motion to dismiss the complaint brought by the FHFA. FHFA sued UBS as conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, alleging fraud and misrepresentation in connection with the sale of $6.4 billion in RMBS. The court held that the action was timely because it commenced within three years after FHFA was appointed conservator of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The court also held that FHFA had standing to bring the action, rejecting UBS’s argument that the appointments of the FHFA’s Acting Directors were unconstitutional because the Directors had not been confirmed by the Senate. Decision.
FHFA HARP Extension
On April 11, the FHFA announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will extend the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) by two years until December 31, 2015. The program was set to expire on December 31 of this year. FHFA Release.
FHFA Streamlined Modification Initative
On March 27, the FHFA announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will offer a new streamlined loan modification initiative. Beginning July 1, servicers of Fannie and Freddie mortgage loans will be required to offer modifications to borrowers who are at least 90 days delinquent. FHFA Release. Fannie Mae Guidance. Freddie Mac Guidance.
FHFA Files $165 Million Suit Against HSBC and Decision One
On March 8, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), acting as conservator for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) commenced litigation in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against Decision One Mortgage Company, LLC (Decision One), and HSBC Finance Corporation (HSBC) (as an alleged successor in interest). FHFA’s Summons with Notice alleges claims for breach of contract, damages, specific performance, indemnity, and reimbursement arising out of the banks’ alleged failure to repurchase loans. FHFA alleges that Decision One breached contractual warranties as to the quality of the mortgage loans, including that the loans complied with relevant statutes, complied with underwriting guidelines, and were not predatory. FHFA seeks specific performance of alleged repurchase obligations or equitable damages totaling nearly $165,000,000. Summons with Notice.
FHFA Outlines 2013 Goals for Fannie and Freddie
On March 4, the FHFA released the 2013 Conservatorship Scorecard for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Scorecard details specific priorities for the GSEs in 2013 that build upon the strategic goals announced in 2012, including: (i) build a new securitization infrastructure; (ii) contract the GSEs’ dominant presence in the marketplace; and (iii) maintain foreclosure prevention activities and credit availability. FHFA Release.
CFPB Rules on Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgages
On January 10, the CFPB issued a final rule, effective January 10, 2014, requiring mortgage lenders to consider consumers’ ability to repay mortgage loans and regarding the “qualified mortgage” (QM) definition. The rule sets forth underwriting factors that must be considered (at a minimum) in making ability-to-repay determinations, which are: (i) current or reasonably expected income or assets; (ii) current employment status; (iii) the monthly payment on the covered transaction; iv) the monthly payment on any simultaneous loan; (v) the monthly payment for mortgage-related obligations; (vi) current debt obligations, alimony, and child support; (vii) the monthly debt-to-income ratio or residual income; and (viii) credit history. In addition, the rule implements product-feature prerequisites and affordability underwriting requirements for qualified mortgages, including that a consumer must have a total (back-end) DTI ratio of less than or equal to 43%. CFPB Release. CFPB Final Rule. CFPB Summary of Final Rule. CFPB Fact Sheet.
In addition, on January 10, the CFPB issued a concurrent proposed rule amendment to the ability-to-repay rule which would, among other things, include exemptions for: (i) certain nonprofit creditors; (ii) certain homeownership stabilization programs; and (iii) certain Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac refinancing programs. Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by February 25. CFPB Proposed Rule.
Court Denies Challenge to FHFA Loan Sampling Methodology
On December 3, Judge Denise Cote of the Southern District of New York denied a joint motion by all defendants across fifteen related RMBS actions brought against major financial institutions by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (“GSEs”). The claims in the case arise out of certificates purchased by the GSEs from 449 different securitizations backed by roughly 1.1 million mortgage loans. The FHFA plans to reunderwrite a sample of those loans and seeks to extrapolate the results of that sample to the entire loan pools; the defendants’ motion sought an order excluding the results of the sampling from evidence at the trial of the actions, challenging the methodology that the FHFA intends to use to select the sample. The Court rejected the defendants’ arguments, finding that at most they raised questions about the evidentiary weight that should be assigned to the samples, rather than the question whether they should be admitted into evidence. Order.
FHFA Sues HSBC Entities For RMBS Representation and Warranty Breaches
On September 26, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) brought an action against HSBC Finance Corp. in New York State court. FHFA’s summons with notice alleges that HSBC, as successor-in-interest to Decision One Mortgage Co., failed to repurchase residential mortgage loans underlying a Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I Inc. Trust. FHFA brings this action on behalf of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), which purchased RMBS issued by the trust in September 2006. FHFA alleges that one or more of the underlying loans breached certain contractual representations and warranties made by Decision One concerning the underwriting and appraisal of the mortgage loans. FHFA seeks specific performance of HSBC’s repurchase obligation, damages, indemnification, and declaratory relief. Summons.