Loss Mitigation

MDA Lending Solutions has launched a suite of products to help customers satisfy Fannie Mae's Loan Quality Initiative (LQI) recommendations and reduce mortgage fraud. According to the company, its new LoanShield suite enables clients to identify suspicious activity, protect themselves against repurchase claims, and lower the chance of mortgage fraud-related issues impacting loan performance.

Sen. Bob Casey says money that has been earmarked to help homeowners who've lost their jobs stave off foreclosure is overdue in being distributed. Casey has sent a letter to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, urging him to release $1 billion in funds Congress authorized last year for HUD to implement the Emergency Homeowners Loan Program for the unemployed. Casey says the promised funds still have not reached those families who are struggling to make their mortgage payments.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has provided free foreclosure counseling assistance to more than 17,000 families through the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) program over the last two years. Created by Congress in January 2008 to address the nationwide foreclosure crisis by increasing the availability of free counseling for families at risk, the NFMC program has provided 1.12 million struggling homeowners with foreclosure prevention counseling across the nation.

Perhaps as a response to reports and complaints that the government-sponsored Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA) program was not working as efficiently as hoped, the Treasury Department has released updated guidelines for the program. The directive becomes effective February 1, although servicers are encouraged to implement the changes immediately, and follows a letter sent by California Realtors to Treasury officials outlining specific problems they've encountered in completing short sales under the program.

Lenders One Mortgage Cooperative, a national alliance of community mortgage bankers, correspondent lenders, and suppliers of mortgage products and services, launched a new national marketing campaign this week. LendRIGHT was created to establish a seal of excellence for the mortgage industry, according to a statement from Lenders One. The organization says the program allows consumers to recognize lenders who have pledged to provide the highest levels of quality and performance.

The Air Force uses visual flight simulators to train its pilots for the actual experience. Virtual reality simulation models are used to help people overcome their fears or uneasiness about certain real-life situations. Fannie Mae is applying this same idea to foreclosure prevention. The GSE has unveiled an interactive multi-media tool called WaysHome that allows homeowners to put themselves in real-life situations they can identify with, make financial choices, and immediately see the outcomes of those actions.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) aims to assist senior borrowers with its newly released guidance on reverse mortgages, or the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program. According to the federal agency, some elderly homeowners are struggling with outstanding property taxes and unpaid hazard insurance premiums. Those who neglect to pay these expenses may face foreclosure, even in instances where the homeowner's mortgage is paid in full.

The HOPE NOW industry alliance completed its fourth year in existence in 2010. The organization's latest market report estimates 1.65 million homeowners received permanent loan modifications from January to November 2010. The organization says it plans to be even more aggressive in its outreach efforts to distressed homeowners this year. Going forward, each of its members will participate in one major outreach event per month, in regions that have been most heavily affected by the mortgage and foreclosure crises.

Marshall & Ilsley Corporation (M&I) has extended its foreclosure moratorium for distressed homeowners through March 31 as part of its Homeowner Assistance Program. M&I originally instituted the foreclosure freeze in December 2008, as has been a typical practice for many lenders around the holiday season since the housing crisis set in. The company has been regularly extending its suspension on home repossessions ever since to afford customers who are struggling with their mortgage payments the opportunity to keep their homes.

There has been no shortage of reports of state attorneys general seeking accountability from servicers that they allege mishandled foreclosures. Now it's being reported that attorneys general in all 50 states are near to reaching settlements with the nation's top five mortgage servicers, including Bank of America and GMAC Mortgage. The states are looking to develop separate agreements, rather than one encompassing settlement; and they plan to pursue a civil investigation rather than a criminal one.