PricewaterhouseCoopers

Assured Sues OneWest Bank in Connection with RMBS Insurance

On August 9, Assured Guaranty filed suit in California state court against OneWest Bank FSB, claiming that the company’s loan servicing was to blame for $335 million it has paid in insurance claims related to residential mortgage-backed securities.  Assured alleges that when OneWest acquired IndyMac Bank FSB’s role as servicer in 2009 of the mortgage loans, the loans began to experience significant delinquencies and defaults.  Assured alleges that PricewaterhouseCoopers conducted an independent audit and found that OneWest was materially noncompliant with several loan servicing requirements.  Assured also alleges that the Office of Thrift Supervisions has brought an enforcement action against OneWest for unsafe and unsound practices regarding its handling of servicing and foreclosure proceedings.  Assured asserts claims for breach of contract and for specific performance and declaratory relief seeking to terminate OneWest as servicer.  Complaint.