November 17, 2008

HUD Rewrites RESPA Rules

After a long, controversial rulemaking process, HUD unveiled revised rules implementing RESPA.

October 06, 2008

HUD Launches Hope for Homeowners Program

Right on schedule, the HUD launched the Hope for Homeowners Program established by the Housing and Economic Recovery President Bush signed on July 30.

HUD Launches Stabilization Program

“Help is on the way,” HUD Secretary Steve Preston says.

August 18, 2008

HUD Settles RESPA Case

HUD continues its crackdown on kickbacks.

June 30, 2008

ABA To HUD: Try Again

The biggest banking trade association is unhappy with HUD’s RESPA reform proposal.

May 26, 2008

HUD Launches Fair Housing Campaign

HUD has launched a campaign to educate the public about their rights under the Fair Housing Act.

December 10, 2007

HUD Trumpets Refinance Program

HUD says its program provides relief for financially troubled homeowners.

November 26, 2007

HUD Settles Kickback Case

HUD continues its crusade against kickbacks.

November 05, 2007

HUD Settles RESPA Cases

HUD is targeting captive title reinsurance companies.

October 08, 2007

HUD Bans Down Payment Assistance Plans

The people who run down payment assistance plans think they’re doing good. HUD thinks they’re cheating the system and setting up homeowners for failure.

July 16, 2007

New HUD Office to Review Mortgage Practices

Who would have thought HUD needed to create a new bureaucracy to do its job? So far, it’s a small bureaucracy, but it’ll grow.

June 18, 2007

HUD Settles Discrimination Charges Against Indiana Bank

HUD has negotiated a $100,000 settlement to resolve allegations of discrimination in mortgage lending.

August 14, 2006

Banks Oppose HUD Proposal

Banks brake for HUD’s “fast-track” predatory lending proposal, warning that lenders need time to voice an opinion.

June 28, 2006

Record FHA Penalty Sends Message to Industry

The $41 million settlement against ABN AMRO Mortgage Group is the largest enforcement action in the Fair Housing Administration’s history.

RESPA Enforcement Hits Builders

A recent enforcement action again demonstrated HUD’s commitment to enforce the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act not only against parties giving funds but also against parties receiving funds.

June 19, 2006

More Trouble for Fanny and Freddie

Just when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac thought they couldn’t get into any more trouble, HUD announced it will soon initiate a review of their investments, and a Congress member charged former Fannie officers with perjury.

HUD Amends Property Flipping Rules

HUD has exempted certain categories of sales from its rules prohibiting the flipping of properties.

June 12, 2006

HUD Charges Bank with Racial Discrimination

A bank pays $125,000 to settle an unusual discrimination case.

HUD Opposes Preemption

HUD says OCC rules don’t preempt local enforcement of Fair Housing Act against national banks.

April 10, 2006

HUD “On the Warpath” About RESPA Violations

HUD’s crackdown on RESPA violations continues.

November 07, 2005

HUD Targets Referral Fees

Certain fees are considered illegal kickbacks under RESPA. HUD will target both payers and recipients of these fees.

August 01, 2005

HUD Continues its RESPA Enforcement

The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced its latest RESPA enforcement action: a settlement agreement with First American Title Insurance Company, doing business as Memphis Title Company.

July 18, 2005

HUD Puts RESPA Reform Roundtables to Good Use

HUD used the recent roundtable session to reveal a new proposed Mortgage Package Offer, as well as a revised draft of the Good Faith Estimate form.

HUD Attacks Referral Fees

The Department of Housing and Urban Development reinforces RESPA’s anti-kickback provisions.

HUD Targets Underwriting Practices

A $3.2 million settlement has sent the message that FHA will not tolerate mortgage companies violating its requirements, especially when the violations cause homeowners to default on their mortgages.