Two recent decisions have clarified the scope and effect Section 131(g)(1) of the Truth-in-Lending Act's ("TILA"), which requires that a borrower be notified within 30-days of the sale, transfer, or assignment of a mortgage loan to a new owner. 15 U.S.C. § 1641(g)(1)....
Banking Law Blog
Eighth Circuit Holds No Recovery for Converted Checks in the Absence of Actual Loss
In a recent Minnesota case, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals held that where a bank accepted and paid two checks despite missing endorsements, the jilted payee had no viable claim because it ultimately suffered no loss. Northeast Bank v. The Hanover Ins. Group, 796...
Section 35A Imposes No Time Limit on Completion of Foreclosures
The statute providing borrowers with a right to cure mortgage payment defaults before acceleration and foreclosure can occur imposes no deadline on completion of foreclosure proceedings once commenced, according to two very recent Massachusetts decisions. G.L. c. 244,...
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Cases Regarding Mortgage “Strip Offs”
While the American economy has shown tentative signs of stabilization and recovery, the nation's courts continue to grapple with legal questions that emanate from the Great Recession and the bursting of the so-called "housing bubble." In one notable development, the...
SJC Says Springfield Foreclosure Ordinances Are Preempted
In a decision handed down earlier this month, the Supreme Judicial Court (the "SJC") has held that two foreclosure-related local ordinances enacted by the City of Springfield (the "City") are preempted by existing Massachusetts statutes.In Easthampton Savings Bank...
Seventh Circuit Dismisses Allegations of Fraudulent Force-Placed Insurance
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently dismissed a borrower's putative class action lawsuit under the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, alleging that a lender and insurer fraudulently insured the borrower's property after the...
First Circuit Finds No Private Right of Action Under HAMP
The First Circuit has affirmed a holding finding that no private right of action exists for homeowner-borrowers under the Home Affordable Modification Program ("HAMP"), bringing clarity on this issue to courts within the Circuit. In the underlying mater, Mackenzie v....
Claims Against Failed Institutions Must Comply with Claims-Processing Regime Set Forth in FIRREA
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit recently confirmed that the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) provides a firm jurisdictional bar to consumer protection claims based on loans made by failed institutions but...
Title Insurer Not Required to Defend Suit Against Validity of Underlying Debt
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has held that a title insurer has no duty to defend a bank against a third-party suit challenging the validity of the underlying debt, absent a specific provision in the title insurance policy envisioning such a claim. Deutsche...
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Eliminates Dual Notice Requirement Regarding ATM Fees
The Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") recently amended Regulation E, 12 CFR 1005.16 ("Reg. E"), to eliminate duplicative fee notice requirements on ATM machines. As a result of the March 26, 2013 amendment, banks will no longer be liable for...
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