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CFPB Proposes Mortgage Servicing Changes to Prevent Wave of COVID-19 Foreclosures

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On April 5, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed rule changes intended to prevent avoidable foreclosures as emergency federal foreclosure protections put in place due to the global pandemic expire. The rules aim to assist both borrowers and servicers to navigate an expected surge of borrowers exiting forbearance. The proposed rules (1) provide a pre-foreclosure review period that generally prohibits servicers from starting foreclosure until after December 31, 2021; (2) permit servicers to offer certain streamlined loan modification options to borrowers with COVID-19-related hardships based on the evaluation of an incomplete application; and (3) update required servicer communications to keep borrowers informed of their options. Release.

OCC, FDIC and CFPB Issue Final Rule on Role of Supervisory Guidance

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On January 19, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) published a final rule regarding the role of supervisory guidance for regulated institutions. The final rule provides that unlike a law or regulation, supervisory guidance does not have the force and effect of law, and that the Agencies will not take enforcement actions or issue supervisory criticisms based on non-compliance with supervisory guidance. The final rule provides that the proper role of supervisory guidance is to outline supervisory expectations and priorities, or articulate views regarding appropriate practices for a given subject area. FDIC Release. OCC Release. Final Rule.

CFPB Issues Final Rule on Higher-Priced Mortgage Loan Escrow Exemption

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On January 19, the CFPB issued a final rule exempting certain insured depository institutions and insured credit unions from the requirement to establish escrow accounts for certain higher-priced mortgage loans (HPMLs). The final rule exempts from the HPML escrow requirement any loan made by an insured depository institution or insured credit union and secured by a first lien on the principal dwelling of a consumer if (1) the institution has assets of $10 billion or less; (2) the institution and its affiliates originated 1,000 or fewer loans secured by a first lien on a principal dwelling during the preceding calendar year; and (3) certain of the existing HPML escrow exemption criteria are met. Final Rule.

CFPB Amends Records and Information Disclosure Requirements

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On October 29, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule amending its disclosure of records and information regulation. The new rule intends to increase protection of confidential information and improve clarity and transparency with agency partners and others. Final Rule.

CFPB Issues Report on Impacts of COVID-19 on Consumer Credit

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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.

CFPB Proposes New Category of Qualified Mortgages

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On August 18, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to create a new category of qualified mortgage (QM) loans exempt from Regulation Z’s ability-to-repay requirements. The new “Seasoned QM” category would include certain fixed rate, first lien loans that the creditor has held in portfolio for a seasoning period of 36 months and that meet certain performance requirements at the end of such period. The proposal would also permit loans in temporary forbearance as a result of disaster or pandemic-related emergencies to qualify for Seasoned QM status if certain conditions are met. Comments on the proposal will be due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Release. NPRM.

Joint Agency Statement Issued Regarding Residential Mortgage Loan Modifications and Troubled Debt Restructuring

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On March 22, the Board of Governors of the FRB, FDIC, the National Credit Union Administration, OCC, CFPB and the State Banking Regulators issued an interagency statement encouraging financial institution cooperation with borrowers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement provided guidance on the troubled debt restructurings and related accounting requirements. Release.

CFPB Issues Interpretative Rule on Screening and Training Requirements for Mortgage Loan Originators

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On November 15, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) implemented an interpretive rule that clarifies that financial institutions that employ loan originators are not obligated to screen and train loan originators with temporary authority. Instead, the state is responsible for any necessary screening or training of these originators. The rule will be effective on November 24. CFPB Release.

CFPB Issues Final HMDA Rule to Provide Relief to Smaller Institutions

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On October 10, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a rule which finalizes certain aspects of its May 2019 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HDMA). It extends for two years the current temporary threshold for collecting and reporting data about open-end lines of credit under the HDMA. The rule also clarifies partial exemptions from certain HMDA requirements which Congress added in the EGRRCPA. Release.