by Tanta on 9/04/2007 12:15:00 PM

A deep curtsey to Ramsey for bringing this to my attention.

The Federal Reserve has released an Interagency Statement on Loss Mitigation Strategies for Servicers of Residential Mortgages.

Servicers of securitized mortgages should review the governing documents for the securitization trusts to determine the full extent of their authority to restructure loans that are delinquent or in default or are in imminent risk of default. The governing documents may allow servicers to proactively contact borrowers at risk of default, assess whether default is reasonably foreseeable, and, if so, apply loss mitigation strategies designed to achieve sustainable mortgage obligations. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has provided clarification that entering into loan restructurings or modifications when default is reasonably foreseeable does not preclude an institution from continuing to treat serviced mortgages as off-balance sheet exposures.2 Also, the federal financial agencies and CSBS understand that the Department of Treasury has indicated that servicers of loans in qualifying securitization vehicles may modify the terms of the loans before an actual delinquency or default when default is reasonably foreseeable, consistent with Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit tax rules.3

Servicers are encouraged to use the authority that they have under the governing securitization documents to take appropriate steps when an increased risk of default is identified, including:

• proactively identifying borrowers at heightened risk of delinquency or default, such as those with impending interest rate resets;
• contacting borrowers to assess their ability to repay;
• assessing whether there is a reasonable basis to conclude that default is “reasonably foreseeable”; and
• exploring, where appropriate, a loss mitigation strategy that avoids foreclosure or other actions that result in a loss of homeownership.

Loss mitigation techniques that preserve homeownership are generally less costly than foreclosure, particularly when applied before default. Prudent loss mitigation strategies may include loan modifications; deferral of payments; extension of loan maturities; conversion of adjustable-rate mortgages into fixed-rate or fully indexed, fully amortizing adjustable-rate mortgages; capitalization of delinquent amounts; or any combination of these. As one example, servicers have been converting hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages into fixed-rate loans. Where appropriate, servicers are encouraged to apply loss mitigation techniques that result in mortgage obligations that the borrower can meet in a sustained manner over the long term.

In evaluating loss mitigation techniques, servicers should consider the borrower’s ability to repay the modified obligation to final maturity according to its terms, taking into account the borrower’s total monthly housing-related payments (including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, commonly referred to as “PITI”) as a percentage of the borrower’s gross monthly income (referred to as the debt-to-income or “DTI” ratio). Attention should also be given to the borrower’s other obligations and resources, as well as additional factors that could affect the borrower’s capacity and propensity to repay. Servicers have indicated that a borrower with a high DTI ratio is more likely to encounter difficulties in meeting mortgage obligations.

Some loan modifications or other strategies, such as a reduction or forgiveness of principal, may result in additional tax liabilities for the borrower that should be included in any assessment of the borrower’s ability to meet future obligations.

When appropriate, servicers are encouraged to refer borrowers to qualified non-profit and other homeownership counseling services and/or to government programs, such as those administered by the Federal Housing Administration, which may be able to work with all parties to avoid unnecessary foreclosures. When considering and implementing loss mitigation strategies, servicers are expected to treat consumers fairly and to adhere to all applicable legal requirements.

Please join me in congratulating the regulators for this document, and falling to my knees in desperate prayer that this will eliminate some of the confused and backwards reporting on this issue in the financial press. Thank you very much.