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Update on Flood Insurance Rate Increases
With NAR’s support, Representatives Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Maxine Waters (D-CA) have successfully attached an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill to delay removal of “grandfathered” flood insurance rates for one year.
NAR Comments on Proposed QM Changes
On Monday, June 3, 2013, NAR President Gary Thomas submitted comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on further proposed revisions to the Ability-to-Repay or Qualified Mortgage (QM) rule. These changes provide more flexibility for lenders to qualify borrowers under the QM safe harbor standard which provides certain protections from liability in connection with the ability to repay determination.
NAR Applauds the SAVE Act
On June 6, 2013, Senators Bennet (D-CO) and Isakson (R-GA) introduced S. 1106, the “Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act”. The bill is an attempt to develop standards for valuing energy efficiency in the appraisal and mortgage underwriting processes.
Obama Administration Announces Initiative to Target Patent Trolls, Protect Consumers
On June 5, the White House announced an initiative to curb the use of patents by patent holders as a tool for "frivolous litigation," and to protect "Main Street retailers, consumers and other end-users of productions containing patented technology."
Lease Accounting Update
On May 14, thirteen U.S. Senators sent a "Dear Colleague" letter to Ms. Leslie Seidman, Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), expressing concern that the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) were preparing to release the latest exposure draft on leases, but had still not released a cost-benefit analysis of the lease accounting proposal.
OMB Government Employee Travel Guidance
In May, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released two memos providing guidance for government employee conference and meeting attendance.
Flood Insurance Subsidies Phasing Out
The federal government is phasing out some flood insurance premium subsidies for certain properties. Learn about which properties are affected, why, and where to learn more.
CFPB Addresses Outstanding QM Issues
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) finalized rules to facilitate access to credit by creating specific exemptions and modifications to the CFPB’s Ability-to-Repay rule for small creditors, community development lenders, and housing stabilization programs.
NAR Submits Comments on Lender Placed Insurance
FHFA published a notice in the Federal Register inviting input on planned restrictions to some forced-placed insurance practices by banks and servicers of GSE loans. In the notice FHFA indicated that they would limit specific forced-placed practices due to concerns regarding conflict of interest between parties to the insurance agreement.
Lease Accounting "Dear Colleague" Letter
On May 14, thirteen U.S. Senators sent a "Dear Colleague" letter to Ms. Leslie Seidman, Chairman ofthe Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), expressing concern that the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") were preparing to release the latest expsoure draft on leases, but had still not released a cost-benefit analysis of the lease accounting proposal.