MGIC is the defendant in a suit by Bank of America lending units for denying claims. This follows a prediction earlier this month by Moody' that mortgage insurance companies might start rejecting claims on defaulted loans - to the tune of an anticipated $4 billion.
The big push is to hold the lenders more accountable for the lending decision - and of course to keep the MI companies viable.
FHA is changing fast - appraiser independence, 5% downpayment, tighter streamline refinance standards, higher credit score standards, higher mortgage insurance premiums.
As the FHA market share increases, largely from the loss of competitive conventional programs, loan approvals will become more difficult.
The mortgage insurance industry may need help to rebound. Right now it appears that they are going to fight by withholding payment of many default claims.
The housing recovery needs a strong mortgage insurance industry, but it also needs mortgage insurance that actually pays on defaulted loans.
At any rate, conventional mortgage insurance remains a major aspect of the housing market that has not received needed attention.
See my previous post on this issue.
Here is a S&P report downgrading 5 mortgage insurance companies: Old Republic, PMI, MGIC, Radian, and Genworth.
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Richard Smith |
American Acceptance Mortgage, Inc |
FHA, VA, Rural Development, Conventional, Jumbo,
Reverse Mortgages, FHA 203k Renovation
Home financing in Tennessee and Georgia.
