Policy & Legislation

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HIGHLIGHT

During the years that led up to the subprime mortgage crisis, Congress was notably passive in dealing with the proliferation of abuses that flourished in a reckless lending environment. The foreclosure crisis that triggered today’s economic problems underscores the need for sensible regulations and protections. Today there are many reforms being weighed and balanced in Washington and in the states. Here we help you keep abreast of proposed policies and their pros and cons.

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  • Dodd-Frank Act Balances Access to Credit and Key Protections
    June 18, 2013

    Michael Calhoun, CRL President, testified before a House Financial Services Subcommittee on Dodd-Frank's impact on homeownership. He said that, as a whole, these rules expand access to credit while ensuring that loans are sustainable for borrowers.

  • Comparing Dual Track Foreclosure Restrictions
    June 13, 2013

    CRL compares the dual track foreclosure restrictions and requirements in the National Mortgage Settlement, the California Homeowner Bill of Rights and related rules from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

  • CRL Comment to CFPB on Amendments to 2013 Mortgage Rule
    June 3, 2013
  • Consumer Advocates Urge FHFA to Curb Lender-Placed Insurance Problems
    May 28, 2013

    In this comment to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), CRL and seven allies comment on proposed practice limitations and broader recommendations regarding lender-placed insurance (LPI). LPI markets are characterized by reverse competition in which LPI premiums paid by mortgage servicers and LPI amounts subsequently charged to borrowers and investors areinflated because LPI insurers/vendors compete for the servicers’ business by providing considerations – kickbacks – to the servicers and including the cost of these considerations in the LPI premiums and LPI amounts charged to borrowers and investors. The extent of the overcharges is demonstrated by the very low loss ratios (claims incurred divided by premiums earned) of LPI compared to loss ratios for homeowners insurance. LPI charges to borrowers and investors are at least twice the reasonable cost of providing LPI. In addition, excessive LPI charges to borrowers and the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) are a source of servicer-induced foreclosures, and such excessive charges are also inconsistent with the mission and affordable housing goals of the GSEs. For these reasons, CRL and its allies support the direct purchase by GSEs of LPI and insurance tracking services and support prohibitions against kickbacks from LPI insurers/vendors to mortgage servicers.

  • HR 1077 Would Weaken Mortgage Reforms in Dodd-Frank
    May 20, 2013

    Congress should not allow high fees and loopholes to return to mortgage lending. HR.1077 will lead to more expensive and dangerous loans for borrowers.

  • CRL to Regulators: Align Qualified Mortgage (QM) and Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) mortgage rules
    April 22, 2013

    Asregulators move to define Qualified Residential Mortgages (QRMs), CRL urges the same standard that CFPB defined for Qualified Mortgages (QM).

  • Closing the Gaps: What States Should Do to Protect Homeowners From Foreclosure
    April 8, 2013

    This brief urges state actions to prevent avoidable foreclosures with a Homeowner Bill of Rights

  • Consumer Advocates Urge HAMP Extension
    March 26, 2013

    National and statewide consumer groups are urging that the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) be extended, citing success in foreclosure prevention and modification.

  • Analysis of the Report of the Monitor of the National Mortgage Settlement
    March 20, 2013

    CRL's analysis of "Ongoing Implementation",a report on 2012 efforts under the National Mortgage Settlement to halt foreclosures through loan modifications, and other assistance.

  • State Actions Still Needed to Prevent Unnecessary Foreclosures
    March 4, 2013

    States are in a strong position to prevent unnecessary foreclosures, stabilize local housing markets and protect homeowners from mortgage servicing abuses. Through practical enhancements to the standards set by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and California’s Homeowner Bill of Rights, states can help borrowers get full and fair consideration for loan modifications before losing their homes to foreclosure.

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