MBA Releases Templates for Servicer Communications with Existing ARM Borrowers in Preparation for LIBOR Expiration

The Mortgage Bankers Association this week released two templates for residential mortgage servicers’ communications with borrowers with existing London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)-indexed adjustable-rate mortgages. LIBOR is the leading reference rate for adjustable-rate single-family mortgages in the U.S. A permanent cessation of most tenors of U.S. dollar LIBOR will occur after June 30, 2023.

“MBA continues to work closely with public and private sector entities to provide members with the resources they need to ensure a smooth transition for the mortgage industry and consumers,” said Pete Mills, MBA Senior Vice President of Residential Policy and Member Engagement.

MBA members will have access to an editable version of the templates where they can make adjustments as they see fit. One is structured as a notice for existing ARM borrowers, and the other as a letter to existing ARM borrowers. The templates stress that any index changes will not affect most other terms of an ARM, including the maximum interest rate paid during the life of the loan or the timing of any interest rate reset. When LIBOR is no longer available or is deemed unsuitable, lenders will replace LIBOR with a new index to determine the future interest rate and payment changes to a borrower’s ARM.

In 2019, MBA developed and released a separate template intended for mortgage lenders to share with consumers interested in applying for a LIBOR-indexed ARM.  For more information and to download the templates, please visit MBA’s LIBOR Transition Resources page.