Home / News / Market Studies / Report: Mortgage Lawsuits Diminish in Q4
Print This Post Print This Post

Report: Mortgage Lawsuits Diminish in Q4

Despite a surge in actions taken by bank regulators, overall mortgage litigation eased at the end of last year, according to a study prepared by the D.C. law firm of ""Weiner Brodsky Sidman Kider PC"":http://www.wbsk.com.
The firm tracked a total of 202 active cases in the fourth quarter report. The biggest volume of activity was with regulatory actions, which jumped to 161 from the third quarter's 126 - a reflection of deteriorating capital at the weakest U.S. banks. However, non-regulatory actions dropped to 46 cases -- down from 74 cases in the third quarter, but about the same as the quarterly average for 2007.
After no third-quarter activity, the report cited four mortgage-backed securities (MBS) lawsuits, three mortgage employment lawsuits, and three suitability cases in the fourth quarter.
Most categories, however, saw a decline during the fourth quarter. The report showed that cases tied to mortgage compliance tumbled from 18 in the third quarter to six during the latest period. Mortgage fraud litigation was down similarly, falling from 18 to five cases in the fourth quarter. Secondary marketing lawsuits fell from 12 cases to just three. According to the report, investor class actions also eased, representing just 11 cases.
Mortgage fee lawsuits were down by half in the fourth quarter, while predatory lending actions declined 43 percent, the firm said. Likely reflecting private and public efforts to stem foreclosures, fourth-quarter foreclosure lawsuits were also down, off by more than 50 percent.

About Author: Carrie Bay

Carrie Bay is a freelance writer for DS News and its sister publication MReport. She served as online editor for DSNews.com from 2008 through 2011. Prior to joining DS News and the Five Star organization, she managed public relations, marketing, and media relations initiatives for several B2B companies in the financial services, technology, and telecommunications industries. She also wrote for retail and nonprofit organizations upon graduating from Texas A&M University with degrees in journalism and English.
x

Check Also

Dip in Rates Brings Resurgence in Bidding Wars

Redfin’s latest analysis of homebuyer trends has found that bidding wars are heating up as mortgage rates have dipped and the nation’s housing supply remains strained.