#MBAAnnual22: Ginnie Mae, FHFA, FHA Go Big

NASHVILLE—Presentations by government agencies at major events such as the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Annual Convention & Expo can be pretty staid affairs. Not so this year. On Monday, Ginnie Mae, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and FHA made one major announcement after the other, literally creating their own news cycle.

MBA, Black Homeownership Collaborative Urge HUD to Reduce FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums

The Mortgage Bankers Association and several trade associations representing the Black Homeownership Collaborative sent a letter to HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge last week urging the Department to make meaningful reductions to the annual Mortgage Insurance Premium and suspend life-of-loan requirements for borrowers with FHA-insured loans.

MBA, Trade Groups Urge HUD to Issue ‘Clear Roadmap’ for Servicers in LIBOR Transition

As HUD considers changes to its index for FHA-insured adjustable-rate mortgages away from LIBOR, the Mortgage Bankers Association and other industry trade groups urged the Department to issue a clear roadmap for servicers of FHA-insured ARMs, including specification of a replacement comparable index or indices for existing mortgages, as well as guidance on communications with borrowers.

FHA Adds COVID-19 Forbearance Relief Options

The Federal Housing Administration on Sept. 27 announced new and extended COVID-19 relief options for borrowers recently or newly struggling to make their mortgage payments because of the pandemic and for senior homeowners with Home Equity Conversion Mortgages who need assistance to remain in their homes.