Loss Mitigation

One third of all subprime loans modified in the third quarter of 2007 were delinquent again within 10 months, according to a Credit Suisse report. A study by Moody’s ratings agency showed similar results.

Chase, the U.S. consumer and commercial banking arm of JPMorgan Chase & Co., announced on Friday that it is xexpanding its already significant mortgage modification program by undertaking multiple initiatives designed to keep more families in their homes, including extending its modification programs to WaMu and EMC customers,x the bank said in a press statement.

Fannie Mae announced this week that it will reinstate a requirement for homeownership counseling and education for first-time home buyers obtaining one of its MyCommunityMortgage loans, which give lenders a conforming alternative for low- and moderate-income borrowers, or a loan that relies on nontraditional credit to qualify.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced that 400,000 homeowners have refinanced their mortgages with HUD’s affordable mortgage insurance program. Since expanding its refinance program in September 2007, HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has helped more distressed homeowners keep their homes by utilizing FHA’s safe and affordable mortgage financing.

HOPE NOW announced yesterday that, due to the continuing efforts of HOPE NOW and the broader mortgage industry, 2.47 million homeowners have avoided foreclosure and been able to stay in their homes since the organization began its efforts in July 2007.

Nielson & Sherry, PSC, a Newport, Kentucky firm which handles concerns related to the mortgage, lending, default, and real estate communities, recently announced the appointment of Dan Israelson to the role of director of client relations and business development.

HSBC Finance, the U.S.-based arm of London-based HSBC Holdings Plc, says HSBC Finance reported net losses for the first three months of 2007 as well as an upswing in delinquencies within its mortgage services unit.

Santa Ana, California-based Data Tree, LLC, a provider of recorded land documents and a part of The First American Corp., announced the release of DocEdge.com™ this week. The company describes DocEdge.

Suzanne Whang, HGTV television host of House Hunters and home-buying author, has parterned with the Mortgage Bankers Association to promote the trade group’s Home Loan Learning Center next month during National Homeownership Month.

The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) has issued a report defending the organization’s latest research on the subject of predatory lending and foreclosures in the subprime market. The CRL report was designed specifically to address questions raised by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).