Fed Bolsters Efforts to Stem Economic Impact of Coronavirus

The Federal Reserve, in its most aggressive actions to date, announced further steps yesterday to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including actions strongly advocated for over the weekend by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Federal Agencies ‘Will not Criticize’ Coronavirus Loan Mods

Six federal agencies on Sunday issued a joint statement encouraging financial institutions to “work constructively” with borrowers affected by the coronavirus pandemic and said they “will not criticize” loan modifications made in a “safe and sound” manner.

ATTOM: 4Q Refinances More than Double

ATTOM Data Solutions, Irvine, Calif., reported 1.27 million refinance mortgages secured by residential property originated in the fourth quarter, up 20 percent from the third quarter and up by 104 percent from a year ago to the highest point since third quarter 2013.

FDIC Chair Calls for FASB to Delay CECL Rule Amid Pandemic

Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chair Jelena McWilliams, in a Mar. 19 letter to the Financial Accounting Standards Board, urged FASB to delay or postpone implementation of its current expected credit losses accounting rules.

FHFA, HUD Suspend Foreclosures/Evictions for 60 Days

HUD and the Federal Housing Finance Agency last week suspended foreclosures and evictions for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA mortgages for at least the next 60 days amid the coronavirus pandemic.

MBA, Trade Groups Cite Strong Concerns with FHFA PACE Proposal

The Mortgage Bankers Association and nearly a dozen industry trade groups told Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria that Property Assessed Clean Energy programs—known as PACE programs—pose safety and soundness issues for the real estate finance industry.

Fed Cuts Interest Rates to Zero; Announces $700 Billion in Stimulus

The Federal Reserve on Sunday pre-empted its own regularly scheduled policy meeting this week, announcing an extraordinary full percentage point cut to the federal funds rate and sweeping purchases of government bonds and agency mortgage-backed securities.