Joel Sucher

"I wouldn't want to be buying a foreclosure, then have the title examiner find that a robo-signer had participated in the process," says Massachusetts' register of deeds.

Editor's Note, July 25, 2012: This and other BankThink opinion columns written by Joel Sucher bearing this note, published between October 2011 and June 2012, mentioned the law firm of Stephen J. Baum, Litton Loan Servicing, or both. The columns should have disclosed that Baum’s firm, working on behalf of Litton, had attempted to foreclose on the writer’s property in 2009. American Banker's editors were unaware of this history at the time the columns were published.

Louisiana has filed a RICO complaint against MERS and a host of megabanks, Bank of America included. Down the line, consumer advocates hope hard-nosed prosecutors can provide what Occupy may not be able to: justice for homeowners.

There's a sizable, growing community of people who'd be receptive to the notion that you can get needed services without having to support the companies that have inflicted so much damage on the economy and the country.

Senka Huskic is mad, very mad and wants you to share that anger. Think a "Network" kind of anger, a Howard Beale kind of anger, a genuine bona fide "I'm mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore" kind of anger.

The GSE could have approved a short sale that would have let Louise Davidson stay in her home as a renter and eventually have the opportunity to buy it back. True to form, Fannie evicted her instead.

Editor's Note, July 25, 2012: This and other BankThink opinion columns written by Joel Sucher bearing this note, published between October 2011 and June 2012, mentioned the law firm of Stephen J. Baum, Litton Loan Servicing, or both. The columns should have disclosed that Baum's firm, working on behalf of Litton, had attempted to foreclose on the writer's property in 2009. American Banker's editors were unaware of this history at the time the columns were published.

A homeowner's struggle to get a loan modification demonstrates the insanity (and inanity) of dealing with lumbering corporate bureaucracies.

Behind closed doors they live in a constant state of fear, ducking calls from bank and servicing representatives, opening certified letters with shaking hands.

For years, Litton Loan Servicing was open to making a deal with delinquent borrowers. Then Goldman took over.

An ongoing drama is unfolding: a David versus Goliath tale of sorts that pits a Riverside, Calif., family fighting to stay in their home against the weight of that elephant, otherwise known as "Freddie."

The perfect metaphor for the housing crisis sits, ignominiously, off the coast of Italy. That lumbering hulk of a ship – the once Grand Concordia — is stuck, half sunk, going nowhere, and the prospects for the situation improving are problematic at best. Refloat? Scrap? Maritime experts are weighing the pros and cons, but I think there's general agreement about siphoning off the fuel before a possible leak turns pristine waters into a very toxic mess.

Those $1,500-$2,500 checks being sent to foreclosed-upon borrowers wouldn't cover Jamie Dimon's travel expenses to Davos.

If you live in Oklahoma: Sorry, you’re screwed. Your Attorney General is more worried about moral hazard and wouldn’t sign the agreement.

With all the twists and backroom turns, government officials’ quest for a settlement and restitution from banks and mortgage servicers is starting to resemble a 1960s screwball comedy.

My guess is that Shaun Donovan and Tim Geithner are burning the midnight oil and firing up the afterburners in attempts to wrap this agreement up by Tuesday’s State of the Union address.

The World Economic Forum just released its yearly report. It's a run-up to the gathering of the economic tribe at Davos later this month and lists global concerns that should be placed high on one's "worry list." Last year it was natural disasters; this year, it's income inequality. Big surprise? No. Props to Occupy Wall Street for helping put this on the Davos radar screen.

There's more confusion in the Obama administration's policy response to the foreclosure crisis than an Abbott and Costello routine. Now the Fed steps up to the plate.

As non-profit 501 (c) 3's around the country make a mad dash for end of the year donations, it gives me some pause for thought about the whole nature of "giving."

Occupy Wall Street will enlist the aid and support of B, C, and D-list celebrities in numerous REO takeovers around the country. And other bold predictions.