Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have postponed the implementation date of their Adverse Market Refinance Fee from September 1 to December 1, per direction from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Certain Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans will also be exempt from the Adverse Market Refinance Fee. The fee is intended to cover costs to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac associated with protections extended to renters and borrowers affected by COVID-19. Release.
On August 28, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS issued guidance to employers regarding the executive action taken earlier this month to defer certain employee payroll taxes through the end of the year. The guidance allows employers to defer payment through the end of 2020 of the employee’s portion of Social Security payroll tax for employee’s earning monthly pre-tax wages of $4,000 or less. Release.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) amended the definition of “accredited investor” to more effectively identify institutional and individual investors that have the knowledge and expertise to participate in private capital markets. The amendments allow individuals to qualify as accredited investors based on measures of financial sophistication, including professional knowledge, experience or certification, as well as existing tests for income or net worth. The updates to the definition also expand the entities that may qualify as accredited investors. Release.
On August 31, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a report examining the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer credit. The report noted no significant negative impact on consumer credit or delinquencies, focusing on mortgage, auto loans, credit cards and student loans, from March 2020 to June 2020, suggesting programs such as the CARES Act may have positively impacted consumer credit during this time. Report.
On July 15, the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) announced it was extending a recent rule change relating to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. The rule change will allow certain bank directors and shareholders to apply to their banks for PPP loans for their small businesses. The rule change is effective immediately and will remain effective while the PPP is active. Release.
On July 9, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that several loan origination flexibilities originally set to expire on July 31 will be extended through August 31. These flexibilities include alternative appraisals on purchase and rate term refinance loans; alternative methods for documenting income and verifying employment before loan closing; and expanding the use of power of attorney and remote online notarizations to assist with loan closings. These loan origination flexibilities are intended to ensure borrowers receive continued support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Release.
On July 8, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced an expanded array of loss-mitigation tools available to mortgage servicers. These measures require servicers to assess homeowners for multiple loan-modification options before the end of their forbearance period. These new measures are intended to assist homeowners financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Release.
On June 29, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) provided additional protections for owners and renters of multifamily properties by allowing servicers to extend existing forbearance agreements for up to three months, for a total forbearance of up to six months for multifamily property owners with loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Borrower may qualify for up to 24 months to repay the missed payments once the forbearance period concludes, and borrowers must comply with additional tenant protections during this period. Release.
On June 25, financial regulatory agencies modified the Volcker rule’s prohibition on banking entities investing in or sponsoring hedge funds or private equity funds, known as covered funds. The final rule permits banking entities to offer financial services and engage in other activities that fall outside of the issues that the rule was intended to address, and it streamlines the covered funds portion of the rule. The rule will be effective as of October 1. Release. Final Rule.
On June 25, federal agencies finalized a rule that updates margin and capital requirements for banks and other entities with significant swap activities. The updated rule no longer requires entities that are part of the same banking organization to hold a specific amount of initial margin for uncleared swaps with each other, such swaps being known as inter-affiliate swaps. The changes to the swap margin rule also provide additional flexibility to allocate collateral internally. The final rule is intended to facilitate risk management and maintain existing safeguards. Release. Final Rule.
