Mortgages

What banks need to know about the coronavirus stimulus package; tech vendor Finastra hit with ransomware attack; bank CIOs confront challenge of so many employees working at home; and more from this week's most-read stories.

Citigroup CEO says it’s a “fine line” between supporting customers and burdening them with debt; Goldman gives away 600,000 N95 masks it had from prior scares.

With seven in 10 rooms sitting empty amid the coronavirus outbreak, hotel and banking groups are urging policymakers to open up the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility.

JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and U.S. Bancorp, along with 200 state-chartered banks and credit unions, have agreed to let borrowers skip payments for 90 days if their finances have been upended by the pandemic.

The regulation issued late on Tuesday directs state-regulated financial institutions to give mortgage borrowers at least 90 days of forbearance if they can show financial hardship resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. It also requires banks and credit unions to provide relief on ATM fees and credit card late payment fees.

With economists fearing high unemployment stemming from the pandemic, the housing finance system is grappling with how it will recoup lost revenue from delinquencies, forbearance plans and other tremors.

The Fed announced several new lending facilities and virtually “unlimited” purchases of Treasury bonds; Ana Botín will donate the money to a coronavirus fund.

Member business loans have been on a roller coaster over the last year and as the pandemic impacts the economy, executives will need to closely monitor these portfolios to catch any problematic credits.

A new study finds that along with fears about employment, nearly half of those who have savings or an emergency fund are dipping into their reserves as a result of the coronavirus.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency authorized the government-sponsored enterprises to lend additional support to the mortgage-backed securities market and temporarily allow some flexibility in lending requirements to address coronavirus-related concerns.

On Dec. 31, 2019. Dollars in thousands.

On Dec. 31, 2019. Dollars in thousands.

The rush to unload mortgage-backed securities signals that a credit meltdown that began with corporate bonds is spreading to other corners of the market.

Accommodations for borrowers affected by the coronavirus pandemic, such as payment delays and fee waivers, are "positive and proactive actions that can manage or mitigate adverse impacts," several banking agencies said.

BofA, JPMorgan said they are paying bonuses to branch and call center employees; the bank says removing the $1.9 trillion limit on growth will help it lend to more customers in need.

Accommodations for borrowers affected by the coronavirus pandemic, such as payment delays and fee waivers, are "positive and proactive actions that can manage or mitigate adverse impacts," the regulators said.

Refinancing activity is surging, existing borrowers are inquiring about loan modifications, loan closings are being delayed by more complex credit checks — and banks are short on people to handle it all.

Forbearance and loan-modifications programs implemented after the financial crisis left borrowers bewildered and angry. Now the mortgage industry wants to create a common standard for providing relief to homeowners whose livelihoods have been upended by the coronavirus pandemic.

Mark Calabria said Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are currently equipped to handle elevated delinquencies, but they might need congressional or Federal Reserve help if fallout from the coronavirus persists.

Utah bank is expected to launch next year; banks want to hold off regulations that would hamper efforts to keep money flowing during virus crisis.