On February 10, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will extend several loan origination flexibilities until March 31, 2021, including (1) alternative appraisals on purchase and rate term refinance loans; (2) alternative methods for documenting income and verifying employment before loan closing; and (3) expanding the use of power of attorney to assist with loan closings. These flexibilities aim to support borrowers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Release.
On January 13, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that it will extend several loan origination flexibilities until February 28, 2021, that were set to expire on January 31, 2021. The extended 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 to assist with loan closings. Release.
On November 18, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) sent for publication a final rule that establishes a new regulatory capital framework for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the “Enterprises”). The final rule fulfills Congress’s Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 mandate that FHFA establish risk-based capital requirements for the Enterprises. Release.
On November 13, the FHFA announced that it will extend several loan origination flexibilities until December 31 that were set to expire on November 30. The extended 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 to assist with loan closings. Release.
On October 21, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) extended a policy allowing certain single-family mortgages in forbearance to be delivered to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for borrowers who sought payment forbearance due to the impact of COVID-19 shortly after closing on their single-family loan. Normally, mortgage loans in either forbearance or delinquency are ineligible for delivery. The policy was extended for loans originated through November 30, 2020. Release.
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 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 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 3, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) sent for publication a final rule on the Federal Home Loan Banks’ Housing Goals, which eliminates the retrospective evaluation using HMDA data and set a single prospective mortgage purchase housing goal as a share of each FHLBank’s total Acquired Member Asset purchases. The rule also sets a new small member participation housing goal for participation by small institutions, eliminates the volume threshold and simplifies the eligibility criteria to enable federally backed loans sold by small institutions eligible to count for goals purposes. Release.
On March 18, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) made a joint announcement to suspend all foreclosures and evictions for homeowners with mortgages backed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae for 60 days. The moratorium on evictions and foreclosures aim to provide relief for borrowers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. FHFA Release. HUD Release. CFPB Release.
