Where’s the light at the end of the tunnel? Bad loans continue to rise for NJ banks

The Record reports that

“Toxic loans held by New Jersey-based banks continued to climb in the second
quarter even as bad loans at U.S. banks declined, according to new government
data.”

“The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Tuesday in its quarterly industry
profile that loans more than 90 days past due or no longer accruing interest at
New Jersey's 117 banks and thrifts rose to 3.61 percent of total loans as of June 30, up from 2.91 percent a year earlier. Those banks' combined seriously delinquent debt climbed in each of the past four quarters.”

Even the once vaunted Hudson City Savings Bank is feeling the pain. As the Record notes,

"Paramus-based Hudson City Savings Bank, the largest thrift based in New Jersey and a high-end residential mortgage lender, had 123 foreclosed properties on its books at the end of June, up from 52 a year earlier.”

Why?

“A weak economy, persistent high unemployment and a slow foreclosure process
have all contributed to the recent rise in bad loans throughout the state, said
Bill Brewer, partner at the Livingston office of Crowe Horwath LLP, a community
bank auditor. "Banks have had a hard time moving this stuff off the books," he
said. "The banks have the capital to withstand this, but it is a continuing
problem.’"

Read more of the whys and wherefores here.

For your next title order or

if you have questions about what you see here, contact

Stephen M. Flatow, Esq.

Vested Title Inc.

165 Passaic Avenue, Suite 101

Fairfield, NJ 07004

Tel 973-808-6130 - Fax 201-656-4506

E-mail vti@vested.com - www.vested.com

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Help for underwater homeowners?

The New York Times writes about underwater homeowners and the kind of relief they need--principal reduction. But who's going to decide who's entitled to it?

Neither Congress, nor federal regulators, nor state or federal prosecutors have yet to conduct a thorough investigation into the mortgage bubble and financial bust. We welcomed the news that the Justice Department is investigating allegations that Standard & Poor’s purposely overrated toxic mortgage securities in the years before the bust. We hope the investigative circle will widen.

Tens of millions of Americans are being crushed by the overhang of mortgage debt. And Congress and the White House have yet to figure out that the economy will not recover until housing recovers — and that won’t happen without a robust effort to curb foreclosures by modifying troubled mortgage loans.

There's nothing like government interference in the market place. Is there?

Read the complete editorial.

For your next title order or

if you have questions about what you see here, contact

Stephen M. Flatow, Esq.

Vested Title Inc.

165 Passaic Avenue, Suite 101

Fairfield, NJ 07004

Tel 973-808-6130 - Fax 201-656-4506

E-mail vti@vested.com - www.vested.com

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Wells Fargo in court over reverse mortgages

Bloomberg news reports, "Wells Fargo Sued Over Reverse Mortgage Policies by Borrowers"

“Wells Fargo & Co. was accused in a group lawsuit of ignoring federal rules on reverse mortgages and forcing homes into foreclosure instead of giving heirs a chance to buy them.

“Estates and surviving spouses have the right to purchase properties at 95 percent of appraised value after the death of a borrower who took out a federally insured reverse mortgage, lawyers for a California man said in the complaint filed Aug. 3 in federal court in San Francisco.

“Wells Fargo hasn't been notifying heirs of this right and has been starting foreclosures if demands aren't met for repayment of the full mortgage balance, according to the complaint filed by the son of a California homeowner. The plaintiff, Robert Chandler, also sued the Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae.”

Wells Fargo alleges that it complied with HUD guidelines; guidelines that only came into effect in April 2011.

Read the full story.

For your next title order or if you have questions about what you see here, contact
Stephen M. Flatow, Esq.,

Vested Title Inc.
165 Passaic Avenue, Suite 101
Fairfield, NJ 07004
Tel 973-808-6130 - Fax 201-656-4506
E-mail vti@vested.com - www.vested.com

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Meanwhile, talking about title insurance

The New York Times’ Mary Ann Haggerty writing writes “Paying for Title Insurance” in the Sunday real estate section.

She begins,

THERE’S not much you can do about title insurance.”

“If you take out a mortgage to buy a home, you have to buy this specialized form of insurance. If you refinance a mortgage, you have to rebuy it. And comparison shopping may not save you much money, as premium rates throughout the New York area are regulated.”

And that’s true. What you are doing when you select a title agent is one thing, seeking the best service.

What is service? In our book, service is thoroughness in the examination
of title, communication with the client, professionalism in the resolution of
title issues (and they do exist,) and promptness in getting you to the closing
table.

We look forward to serving you in the future.

Read the full article.

For your next title order or
if you have questions about what you see here, contact
Stephen M. Flatow, Esq.
Vested Title Inc.
165 Passaic Avenue, Suite 101
Fairfield, NJ 07004
Tel 973-808-6130 - Fax 973-227-0645
E-mail vti@vested.com - www.vested.com

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Wells Fargo settles mortgage-abuse case for $85M

The AP reports,

“Wells Fargo & Co. has agreed to pay $85 million to settle civil charges that it falsified loan documents and pushed borrowers toward subprime mortgages with higher interest rates during the housing boom.

“The fine is the largest ever imposed by the Federal Reserve in a consumer-enforcement case, the central bank said Wednesday.

“Wells Fargo, the nation's largest mortgage lender, neither admitted nor denied wrongdoing as part of the settlement. The bank agreed to compensate borrowers who were steered into higher-priced loans or whose income was exaggerated.”

Wells Fargo was accused of inflating borrowers' incomes on loan applications from 2004 until 2008. Sales reps also pushed borrowers towards subprime loans, even if they were eligible for lower rate mortgages.

“Between 3,700 and roughly 10,000 people could be compensated under the
settlement, the Fed said. The payments will likely range from $1,000 to
$20,000.”

Read the full report.

For your next title order or

if you have questions about what you see here, contact

Stephen M. Flatow, Esq.

Vested Title Inc.

165 Passaic Avenue, Suite 101

Fairfield, NJ 07004

Tel 973-808-6130 - Fax 201-656-4506

E-mail vti@vested.com - http://www.vested.com/

Stephen Flatow Wells Fargo mortgages fraud subprime

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