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Schulman to begin new chapter at Mayer Brown
Posted Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021
Phil Schulman literally wrote the book on RESPA.
Known in the settlement service industry for not only his legal expertise, but for his ability to put a crowd at ease with his self-deprecating humor, he is transitioning from his current role as Mayer Brown partner to a new role as senior counsel for the Washington, D.C. firm.
Schulman spoke to us about everything from growing up in upstate New York to his worst experiences telling jokes to a crowd. Read on for details in this open story.
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CFPB publishes LEP guidance
Posted Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued new guidance to help financial institutions increase access to fair and nondiscriminatory credit for people with limited English proficiency (LEP).
The statement provides guidelines institutions can use to help implement those principles and develop compliance solutions, including specific information about common components of a compliance management system.
Read on for highlights of the CFPB’s statement and remarks from then-Director Kathy Kraninger, who announced her resignation Wednesday.
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Webinar addresses the changing real estate transaction
Posted Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021
October Research, LLC’s complimentary webinar, “Evolving Realtor Relationships,” included two industry experts who discussed how the real estate transaction is changing, their expectations for the future and what they will need from their title partners.
Read on for more from Drew Coleman, team lead of The Drew Coleman Team/The Hasson Co. Realtors in Oregon, and Realtor Cor Donovan of Corbett Donovan PLLC in Florida.
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CFPB sues mortgage lender
Posted Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has filed a lawsuit against a defunct Connecticut-based lender for allegedly engaging in misleading representations, omissions, or practices toward consumers.
The CFPB has accused the company of denying credit to consumers without giving consumers the “adverse action” notice required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Equal Credit Opportunity Act, among other allegations.
Read on for more details from the bureau’s lawsuit.
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NAR president vows to fight housing inequality
Posted Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021
National Association of Realtors (NAR) President Charlie Oppler represented the trade organization at a wreath-laying ceremony honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Washington, D.C.
Oppler acknowledged Realtors’ historic role in furthering residential segregation and opposing the federal Fair Housing Act. He said fighting housing inequality and racial discrimination in real estate as is one of the organization’s top priorities for 2021. Read on for details from NAR.
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HUD settles religious discrimination case
Posted Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has reached a conciliation agreement with the owner and manager of senior apartments in Oklahoma accused of violating the Fair Housing Act by removing Bibles and Christian reading material from common areas.
Read on for details of HUD’s settlement.
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HUD seeks comment on proposed real estate inspection rule
Posted Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has issued a proposed rule for the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate.
This new approach incorporates extensive stakeholder input to redesign the methods HUD uses to ensure properties are in a safe, decent, and sanitary condition. HUD is accepting public comment on all aspects of the proposed rule through March 15.
Read on for more details.
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Biden's CFPB nominee points to more aggressive bureau
Posted Date: Monday, January 18, 2021
Federal Trade Commission member Rohit Chopra has been nominated by President-elect Joe Biden to replace CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger.
Biden’s choice is a sure sign the new administration is serious about enforcing RESPA and other laws affecting the financial services industry, according to experts who spoke to RESPA News.
Read on for reaction from Richard Horn, co-managing member of Garris Horn LLP, Sterbcow Law Group Partner Marx Sterbcow and Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr Partner Francis X. Riley III.
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CFPB helps Virginia mortgagor win RESPA appeal
Posted Date: Monday, January 18, 2021
A Virginia mortgagor filed a class action RESPA lawsuit against his servicer’s successor-in-interest related to the successor’s failure to timely pay city property tax from funds deposited into the escrow account.
A federal court granted the successor’s motion to dismiss.
However, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently reversed the lower court’s decision after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed an amicus brief in support of the appellant. Read on for details.
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NAR responds to FHFA, Treasury announcement on GSEs
Posted Date: Monday, January 18, 2021
The Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Department of the Treasury have announced amendments to the Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements the agencies said will help ensure market stability and liquidity during the pandemic.
The amendments will allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to continue to retain earnings until they satisfy the requirements of the 2020 Enterprise Capital Rule.
Read on for reaction from the National Association of Realtors.
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FinCEN extends comment period on virtual currency
Posted Date: Monday, January 18, 2021
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is reopening the comment period for its recent proposed rulemaking regarding certain transactions involving convertible virtual currency or digital assets with legal tender status.
Read on for details from FinCEN.
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HUD has new online tool to help people in need
Posted Date: Monday, January 18, 2021
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a new online tool to help individuals and families in need locate nearby resources.
The tool will allow users to search for facilities that provide shelter, clothing, health clinics, and food pantries. Find Shelter provides mapping and contact information for these service providers and the site is optimized for mobile use.
Read on for details from HUD.
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McDonnell and Associates’ traveling attorney model led to growth
Posted Date: Thursday, January 14, 2021
In 2003, McDonnell and Associates, PA was launched to provide a more convenient model to help loan borrowers.
The Columbia, S.C.-based law firm – which focuses on real estate law, title development and settlement services – eventually set itself apart by offering a traveling attorney model.
Read on for CEO Edward McDonnell’s advice on how to grow your business with affiliated relationships while remaining RESPA compliant in this open story.
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Co-marketing scheme alleged in Maryland class action lawsuit
Posted Date: Thursday, January 14, 2021
A federal judge recently denied a lender’s motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit alleging a kickback scheme between a bank and a title company resulted in borrowers paying inflated settlement fees.
The plaintiffs claimed the lender made illegal referrals to a title company for title and settlement services, and the title company laundered payments to the bank through third-party marketing companies.
The borrowers argued the alleged kickbacks violated RESPA. Read on for details.
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CFPB report details bureau's pandemic response
Posted Date: Thursday, January 14, 2021
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has released its 2020 Financial Literacy Annual Report – much of which centered on the agency’s response to the coronavirus.
Congress specifically charged the bureau with ensuring consumers receive timely and understandable information needed to make responsible decisions about financial transactions. Each year, the bureau highlights its efforts in a broad range of financial literacy areas.
Read on for details from CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger.
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Community bankers concerned about regulatory burden
Posted Date: Thursday, January 14, 2021
Community bankers have a “marginally negative” outlook that falls well below pre-pandemic confidence levels, according to the most recent Community Bank Sentiment Index (CBSI). The CBSI captures on a quarterly basis what community bankers nationwide think about the future.
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) publicly released the fourth quarter CBSI results, collecting data from 284 community banks across the nation during December.
Read on for details from CSBS.
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Existing home sales, consumer confidence falling
Posted Date: Thursday, January 14, 2021
Existing-home sales fell in November, ending a five-month streak of month-over-month gains. However, all four major regions experienced significant year-over-year growth, according to a new report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said the overall housing market continues to exceed expectations even with lower consumer confidence, stricter lockdowns, and fast-rising coronavirus cases.
Read on for more analysis and 2021 predictions from Yun.
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FFIEC appoints Allard to SLC
Posted Date: Thursday, January 14, 2021
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has appointed Kevin Allard to its State Liaison Committee.
Allard was designated by the American Council of State Savings Supervisors to complete the remainder of the two-year term left vacant by the early departure of Commissioner John Ducrest. Allard’s partial term on the SLC will expire on March 31, 2021.
Read on for details from the FFIEC.
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CFPB taskforce proposes packaged settlement servicing
Posted Date: Monday, January 11, 2021
The current RESPA-induced settlement process creates competitive economic inefficiencies that raise the cost of mortgages for consumers.
The best solution is to create a competitive market where lenders benefit from low closing costs and are incentivized to drive the costs lower via all-encompassing closing packages, according to a new report by a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau taskforce.
Read on for details from the Taskforce on Federal Consumer Financial Law.
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Maryland judge rules class action kickback suit may proceed
Posted Date: Monday, January 11, 2021
A group of Maryland borrowers filed a class action lawsuit alleging their servicer engaged in an illegal kickback scheme with a title company.
The defendant filed a motion to dismiss, claiming the plaintiffs do not sufficiently allege the servicer was not in RESPA’s safe harbor provisions. The servicer also claimed the RESPA claims are time-barred and the plaintiffs did not prove actual injury.
Read on for highlights of the judge’s ruling.
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NAFCU to CFPB: Provide clear rules of the road
Posted Date: Monday, January 11, 2021
The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU) has asked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to consider its top five list of 2021 priorities.
Read on for details from a letter from NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger to bureau Director Kathy Kraninger.
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Waters to OCC: Don’t force banks to serve gun, fossil fuel companies
Posted Date: Monday, January 11, 2021
House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters has asked Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Acting Comptroller Brian Brooks to withdraw a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding fair access to financial services.
In a recent letter to Brooks, Waters and 22 other Democratic committee members said the NPRM would increase systemic risks to the financial system and do nothing to ensure communities of color are better served by the banking system. Read on for details.
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HUD awards rural affordable housing grants
Posted Date: Monday, January 11, 2021
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $10 million in capacity-building grants to provide affordable housing and community-development activities in rural areas for low-income families and individuals.
The activities will be carried out via grants awarded to five national non-profit organizations which will, in turn, fund rural housing development organizations, community development corporations, community housing development organizations, local governments, and Indian tribes.
Read on for details from HUD.
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Schulman’s peers reflect on ‘Mr. RESPA’s’ contributions to industry
Posted Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021
As Mayer Brown Partner Phil Schulman transitions to a new role as senior counsel at the Washington, D.C. firm, his friends and colleagues looked back on the RESPA expert’s contributions to the settlement service industry – and how he has kept them in stitches over the years with his unique sense of humor.
Read on for more from experts Brian Levy, Francis Riley III, Loretta Salzano, Marx Sterbcow and Ken Trepeta in this open story.
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Massachusetts borrower sues for RESPA after mortgage scam
Posted Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021
A Massachusetts borrower who fell behind on his loan payments after falling victim to a mortgage scam claimed his servicer failed to fully respond to his notice of errors and requests for information on why his loan modification was denied.
The servicer argued the case should be dismissed because the requested information was overly broad and unduly burdensome.
Read on to see why a magistrate judge has recommended the case move forward.
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CFPB issues ECOA advisory opinion
Posted Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021
Industry stakeholders asked the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to address the problem of unmet credit needs among minority communities, and the role discrimination may have played in creating and exacerbating those deficits.
The CFPB recently issued an advisory opinion to clarify regulatory uncertainty regarding Regulation B, which implements the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, as it applies to certain aspects of special purpose credit programs.
Read on for details.
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FinCEN issues COVID-19 scam notice
Posted Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued a notice to alert financial institutions about the potential for fraud, ransomware attacks, or similar types of criminal activity related to COVID-19 vaccines and their distribution.
FinCEN said fraudsters have been offering to provide potential victims with the vaccine sooner than permitted under the applicable vaccine distribution plan.
Read on for specific instructions for filing Suspicious Activity Reports regarding COVID-19 vaccines.
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CFPB announces more staff changes
Posted Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has added two familiar faces to its executive team.
Read on for details on the bureau’s new assistant director for the Office of Innovation and chief of staff.
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Former servicer ordered to pay more than $5 million redress
Posted Date: Monday, January 4, 2021
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has issued a consent order against a former mortgage servicer accused of violating RESPA by sending numerous acknowledgment notices that failed to state the additional documents and information borrowers needed to submit to complete their loss mitigation applications.
Additionally, the company allegedly failed to provide a reasonable due date for submission of borrower documents.
Read on for details from the consent order.
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CFPB issues final rule on debt disclosures
Posted Date: Monday, January 4, 2021
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has issued a final rule to implement Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requirements regarding certain disclosures for consumers.
The rule requires debt collectors to provide, at the outset of collection communications, detailed disclosures about the consumer’s debt and rights in debt collection, along with information to help consumers respond. It also prohibits debt collectors from suing consumers on time-barred debt.
Read on for more from the CFPB.
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Pending home sales fall
Posted Date: Monday, January 4, 2021
Pending home sales declined in November, according to a new National Association of Realtors (NAR) report. Month-over-month contract activity fell in each of the four major U.S. regions. However, compared to a year ago, all four areas achieved gains in pending home sales transactions.
Read on for more details from NAR.
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DOJ files race discrimination lawsuit
Posted Date: Monday, January 4, 2021
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit alleging an Oklahoma housing authority violated the Fair Housing Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when they denied housing to an African-American applicant and her young child because of their race.
The housing authority receives funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Read on for details from the DOJ’s suit and reaction from HUD.
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California couple files TRID lawsuit after foreclosure
Posted Date: Friday, December 18, 2020
A California couple sued their servicer and Freddie Mac for allegedly failing to respond to their written requests for information about the mortgage loan’s payoff amount and new owner.
As a result, the borrowers claimed they sustained actual damages, including “missing work” and “being foreclosed upon.”
The servicer asked that the TRID lawsuit be dismissed for failure to state a claim.
Read on to see a magistrate judge’s recommendations in the case.
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The do's and don'ts of MSAs
Posted Date: Friday, December 18, 2020
Now that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has rescinded its controversial bulletin on marketing services agreements (MSAs), interest in advertising agreements is picking up once again.
October Research, LLC recently put together a webinar, “Mastering MSAs,” with two industry experts who detailed the do’s and don’ts of such marketing deals.
Read on for more from Sterbcow Law Group Partner Marx Sterbcow and Ray Cashen of William Raveis Real Estate.
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CFPB releases 1071 report
Posted Date: Friday, December 18, 2020
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has released a panel report as part of its rulemaking process under Dodd-Frank Act Section 1071 governing the collection and reporting of small-business lending data.
Section 1071 requires financial institutions to collect certain data regarding applications for credit for women-owned, minority-owned, and small businesses, and to report that data to the bureau on an annual basis.
Read on for details from the report.
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FinCEN issues crime prevention guidance
Posted Date: Friday, December 18, 2020
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued guidance on the agency’s information sharing program under Section 314(b) of the PATRIOT Act, which provides financial institutions with the ability to share information with one another, under a safe harbor provision.
After receiving feedback from the financial industry, FinCEN is providing three main clarifications in a new fact sheet and rescinding previously issued guidance.
Read on for more from FinCEN.
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Stratmor looks back on 2020
Posted Date: Friday, December 18, 2020
A global pandemic and record-low interest rates were just two of the events that made 2020 a year unlike any other in the mortgage industry’s history, according to a new report from mortgage advisory firm Stratmor Group.
The report noted that mortgage banking volumes and profits skyrocketed, but not without creating some problems.
Read on for details from Stratmor.
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ABA: Front-line bankers should get vaccine priority
Posted Date: Friday, December 18, 2020
The American Bankers Association (ABA) has asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make front-line bankers a high priority to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has already recommended “essential” banking employees be included in Phase 1B of the vaccine distribution effort.
Read on for details from ABA’s letter to CDC Dr. Jose Romero.
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