Orange County Register, Feb. 7, 2019–Jeff LazersonFollowing a data breach involving mortgage firms, borrowers are torn between protecting their privacy and divulging data needed to get their loan approved.
Category: Top National News
Bankruptcy Judge Says He Will Approve Lampert Purchase of Sears
Wall Street Journal, Feb. 7, 2019–Lillian Rizzo (subscription)A bankruptcy judge said Thursday he would approve Edward Lampert’s bid to purchase Sears Holdings Corp., a decision that will keep the doors open at more than 400 stores and see 45,000 people keep their jobs.
Weekly Mortgage Applications Fall 2.5% Despite a Sharp Drop in Rates
CNBC, Feb. 6, 2019–Diana OlickOverall mortgage application volume fell 2.5 percent last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. Volume was nearly 10 percent lower than a year ago.
Large Breach of Mortgage Borrowers’ Data Raises Concerns, Questions
Washington Post, Feb. 6, 2019–Kenneth R. HarneyA large breach of mortgage data that has exposed the personal financial information of tens of thousands of borrowers raises key consumer questions. Rick Hill, vice president of industry technology for the Mortgage Bankers Association, called for new “uniform federal standards” for protecting consumers’ data that would apply in instances like this.
New Bill Seeks to Reinstate Dodd-Frank Loan Data Reporting
National Mortgage Professional, Feb. 6, 2019–Phil HallA bill introduced by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and in the House by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez, D-N.Y., seeks to reinstate Dodd-Frank Act reporting requirements on loan quality criteria that was repealed last year when the Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress.
Genworth’s Mortgage Insurance Income Rises on Lower Taxes, Losses
National Mortgage News, Feb. 6, 2019–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Genworth’s U.S. mortgage insurance unit’s adjusted operating income increased over the previous year as the lower corporate tax rate and lower loss ratio overcame a 9% reduction in new insurance written.
Fintech Must Complement, Not Dictate, the Millennial Mortgage Experience
National Mortgage News, Feb. 6, 2019–Erin Collard (free article)A common misconception about fintech is that it’s automating lending professionals out of the process. In our experience, lenders take their products and experiences into the cloud because it makes their operations more efficient.
House Committee to Examine Credit Bureau Reforms This Month
American Banker, Feb. 6, 2019–Neil Haggerty (subscription)House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters, D-Calif., is putting a spotlight on the credit reporting agencies as she has set the panel’s hearing schedule for February.
Provident Financial Abandons Mortgage Banking
HousingWire, Feb. 6, 2019–Jacob GaffneyThe company plans to layoff 122 full time equivalent employees, presumably working in the now-abandoned Provident Bank Mortgage brand, in the coming months, though it will not exit the mortgage lending industry entirely. PBM will be retired by the end of June.
PHH Mortgage Settles Suit Alleging Improper Foreclosures Against Military Personnel
Cherry Hill Courier Post (N.J.), Feb. 6, 2019–Jim WalshPHH Mortgage Corp. will pay $750,000 to settle claims it improperly foreclosed on the homes of six members of the armed services, the Justice Department said Wednesday.