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New Revision to Truth in Lending Act Passes

By Mel Horton | March 4, 2008

New Revision to Truth In Lending Act Passes

HR 3915 passed 11.15.2007 which sets forth new standards regarding Truth in Lending and predatory lending practices. Summary taken from The Library of Congress (THOMAS)SUMMARY AS OF:
10/22/2007–Introduced.

Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007 – Amends the Truth in Lending Act to set forth a duty of care standard for residential mortgage loan originations.

Prohibits steering incentives to mortgage originators, including incentive compensation and any yield spread premium based on, or varying with, the terms of a residential mortgage loan.

Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and other specified federal banking regulatory agencies to prescribe jointly regulations to prohibit mortgage originators from steering any consumer to a residential mortgage loan that is not in the consumer’s interest (loans with predatory characteristics).

Sets forth licensing and registration requirements for mortgage originators.

Sets forth minimum repayment standards for residential mortgage loans. Requires creditors to determine, based on verified and documented information, that a consumer has a reasonable ability to repay the loan, according to its terms, and all applicable taxes, insurance, and assessments.

Prohibits creditors from extending credit for residential mortgage loans that involve refinancing of a prior residential mortgage loan unless the creditor determines that refinancing provides a net tangible benefit to the consumer.

Subjects assignees and securitizers to liability for certain violations in connection with residential mortgage loans.

Sets forth defenses to foreclosure.

Proscribes certain practices, including: (1) certain prepayment penalties; (2) single premium credit insurance; (3) mandatory use of arbitration; and (4) negative amortization mortgages.

Redefines high-cost mortgages. Prohibits balloon payments for such mortgages.

Revises requirements governing prepayment penalties. Prohibits lending without due regard to repayment ability.

Prohibits certain creditor practices with respect to high-cost mortgages, including: (1) recommending default on an existing loan or other debt before and in connection with closing of a high-cost mortgage that refinances all or any portion of such existing loan or debt; (2) imposing late fees except according to specified requirements; (3) exercising sole discretion to accelerate indebtedness; (4) financing points and fees; (4) structuring certain transactions and reciprocal arrangements to evade the requirements and prohibitions of this Act; and (5) charging certain modification or deferral fees, and fees for notification of payoff information.

Requires pre-loan counseling.

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