Mortgages

Some say the agencies are exacting too high a price to buy loans from the cash-strapped lenders; some small banks hustled in dealing with the Paycheck Protection Program, others are accused of a hustle.

More than a dozen firms have struck agreements with nine states to provide forbearance to customers struggling to make payments in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The FHFA will allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, for a limited time, to purchase loans for which the borrower has sought to postpone payments because of the economic effects of the coronavirus.

The bill, which includes $310 billion in new funding, is expected to pass the House on Thursday; Chase has no timeline for returning but plans to bring back employees to offices in stages.

Efforts to calm lenders’ fears about coronavirus-related forbearance may not offset tightening standards, and the FHA is less likely to boost volume than it was during the financial crisis.

The agency said it is aligning policies for Fannie Mae- and Freddie Mac-backed loans in forbearance so that servicers are only responsible for advancing four months of missed payments.

Federal backing for firms facing a deluge of missed mortgage payments is still on the table despite recent comments by an official who questioned the need to help the industry.

The two sides say a deal to replenish the small-business loan program may be reached for a Senate vote early this week; big restaurant chains said to edge out small firms for loans.

Wells Fargo tells business clients to consider other banks for emergency loans; JPMorgan Chase is temporarily reducing its exposure to the mortgage market; how TD Bank got a head start on pandemic preparations; and more from this week's most-read stories.

Stress and exhaustion are catching up to lenders and call center employees helping customers grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.