The lawyer was cross-examining a witness.
"Isn't it true," he began, "that you were given $5,000 to throw
this case?"
The witness did not answer. Instead, he
just stared out the window as though he hadn't heard the question.
The attorney repeated himself, again
getting the same reaction, the same no response.
Finally, the judge spoke to the witness,
"Please answer the question."
"Oh," said the startled witness,
"I'm sorry your honor. I thought he was talking to you."
How has housing changed in the last 100 years? It's easy to see
when a "vertical flight" is put together, and Trulia posted current
listings that were built in every decade that are pretty interesting to skim through and look at styles &
pricing.
Another day, another settlement. In this instance JPMorgan
Chase has agreed to pay $55 million to settle an investigation into whether
it charged thousands of African-American and Hispanic borrowers higher interest
rates on mortgages than white customers. The discriminatory loans were
originated from at least 2006 to late 2009. The mortgages were made by
independent brokers and then funded by JPMorgan, and Chase was charged with
violating the U.S. Fair Housing Act and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act
JPMorgan released a statement. "We've agreed to
settle these legacy allegations that relate to pricing set by independent
brokers. We deny any wrongdoing and remain committed to providing equal access
to credit." Even though JPMorgan did not originate the loans, allegedly
the bank gave mortgage brokers some discretion in setting the rates and fees on
loans. The prosecutors cited a "causal connection" between the bank's
price discretion policies and the racial disparities among the mortgages. The
complaint also said that JPMorgan was "directly and extensively involved
in setting the complete terms and condition of wholesale mortgage loans."
Even when JPMorgan had reason to know there were pricing disparities, it did
not determine the extent of the problem and act to stop it, the complaint said.
In other words, Chase did not require mortgage brokers to document the reasons
for changing rates and failed to address racial discrimination, encouraging it
to continue.
Does every country have issues with mortgages? Spain set
to give banks three months to fix the mortgage crisis over there.
Don't think politics interferes, both positively and
negatively, with residential lending? The Mortgage Bankers Association spread
the word yesterday that, "Based on recent testimony and political
pushback, we believe there is a strong chance the most recent MIP reduction (as
published in HUD Mortgagee Letter 2017-01) may be one of the rollback actions taken soon after President
Trump takes office. This change will likely be effective immediately, and
could create significant operational challenges for lenders and their
customers. Given this information, MBA encourages members to consider the
contingency steps that would be necessary to unwind any changes that have
already been made to adjust for the reduced MIP rates if this reversal is
implemented. We will continue to provide updates as we receive
information."
Along those lines, HousingWire reported that per multiple
sources the FHA premium cut, which is currently scheduled to go into effect on
January 27, will be delayed, at the very least, by the incoming Trump
administration. "...repealing the FHA premium cut is on the list of things
that the Trump administration plans to review and/or roll back almost immediately.
The source also told HousingWire that the Trump administration will not
enact the premium cut on the 27th while it considers the impact of the
premium cut on the FHA's Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund before determining
whether to proceed with the cut. But the source said that it is a distinct
possibility that the premium cut will be done away with completely."
The impact from higher interest rates will likely filter
through in coming months, projecting a deceleration in growth in 2017. On the policy
front, Zelman & Associates expects the incoming Republican-led
administration will be favorable for the mortgage market by reducing regulatory
burdens, clarifying FHA policies, and supporting private capital.
In the meantime, lenders and investors announced FHA
& VA changes.
Pacific Union Financial has created a revised gift
letter for all eligible products that will also provide gift fund documentation
requirements for each product. The Gift Letter is available on
FLOW. Regarding FHA products, Delegated Correspondents must insure that
acceptable compensating factors are provided when approving manually
underwritten loans that require compensating factors.
NewLeaf Wholesale issued a reminder about FHA loan
that fund on or after January 27, 2017. These transactions must have the
reduced MIP rate and all loans that fund prior to January 27, 2017 must have
the current and higher MIP rate. If you and your borrower want to delay
the funding of the loan to occur on or after January 27, 2017 to take advantage
of the reduced MIP and a lock extension is required as a result, the borrower
will be charged for the cost of the extension.
Ditech Financial LLC Approved Wholesale Clients
should note that FHA is reducing its annual mortgage insurance premiums (MIP)
for most new mortgages with a closing/disbursement date on or after January 27,
2017. Closing/Disbursement date refers to the later of the date the mortgage is
signed or the disbursement date of the loan proceeds, as is entered in FHA
Connection. In addition, FHA is eliminating the distinction in rates based upon
the base loan amount. Also noted, Ditech will discontinue purchasing
loans with applications dated prior to October 3, 2015. All loans submitted to
ditech must have been originated and closed with all applicable disclosures
required under TRID. This would include all two-close construction loans so the
end loan must include an initial application dated on or after October 3, 2015
along with all applicable disclosures required under TRID.
AmeriHome will purchase loans at
the new, reduced MIP rates without overly announced by FHA on 1/9/2017, in the
timeline provided by FHA, subject to the loan meeting all FHA terms and
requirements for the MIP change.
Brokers in the market for a VA loan, Mountain West
Financial announced the following changes to its VA Jumbo products: 3 year
waiting period for all Bankruptcies, Foreclosures, and Short Sales. No
reserve requirement. The 2-month reserve requirement has been eliminated.
No DTI restrictions. Follow the AUS Findings. Cash Out - FICO requirement has
been reduced to 620. Loans from 620 to 639 need to be priced under the
"direct" product. 640 and above are not required to go
"direct".
Moving from the primary to the capital markets...
The US Supreme Court has rejected an industry appeal and
ruled that investors' antitrust lawsuits against a number of banks accused of
manipulating the London Interbank Offered Rate, including Deutsche Bank, Bank
of America and JPMorgan Chase, can move forward.
In terms of the bond markets, Wednesday wasn't a great day
for anyone looking for lower rates, and was made a little more volatile due to
the FHA MIP rumors. (Concerns that the incoming administration could reverse
the recent MIP cut on FHA mortgages shifted the pricing on Ginnie Mae
securities relative to those of Freddie and Fannie.) We also heard from Fed
Chair Janet Yellen whose comments were viewed as somewhat "hawkish."
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said yesterday that the US economy was close
to full employment and the Fed's 2% inflation target, making it strong enough
to sustain higher interest rates. By the end of Wednesday, the 10-year T-note
had worsened .5 to close yielding 2.39% while the 5-year and agency MBS prices
worsened .250-.5 worse depending on coupon.
Looking at today, we've already had the latest monetary
policy decision from the European Central Bank (as expected it left its rates
unchanged), Initial Jobless Claims (-15k to 234k), Housing Starts &
Building Permits (+11.3% and permits were at a 1.21 million rate - as
expected), and the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey (+23.6, whatever that
means). At 10AM ET the Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing for
Treasury Secretary Nominee Mnuchin starts up, and we'll also have some Fed
presidents on the speaking tour. After the initial numbers the 10-year is yielding
2.46% and MBS prices are worse .250-.375 versus last night.
No comments:
Post a Comment