CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU / DODD FRANK ACT IMPOSES STRICTER REQUIREMENTS ON SERVICERS
On January 10, 2014, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued new mortgage servicing rules designed to protect borrowers when it comes to mortgage loans. The new rules require servicers to send period billing statements containing specific information, promptly credit mortgage payments, respond quickly to pay off requests, provide options to avoid forced-placed insurance, quickly resolve errors and respond to requests for information. These rules prohibit the servicer from rejecting partial payment. For instance, the servicer is required to place partial payment into a special account called a suspense account. Once the suspense account has sufficient funds to make a full payment the servicer must credit the account. The partial payment must be included in the monthly mortgage statement. The new rules also require servicers to send notice at least…