Ocwen Completed 44.6% of Industry's Permanent Mortgage Modifications in Initial Months...
* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.
Ocwen Completed 44.6% of Industry's Permanent Mortgage Modifications in Initial
Months of U.S. Treasury's Hamp Program
WASHINGTON and WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Oct. 12, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Almost
half of the trial mortgage modifications converted to permanent modifications
for distressed homeowners under the Treasury Department's Home Affordable
Modification Program (HAMP) are attributable to Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC, the
principal subsidiary of Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE:OCN). There are 27
large banks and loan servicers participating in HAMP, but Ocwen alone completed
44.6% of all of the permanent modifications done by the industry.
According to a report released last week by the Congressional Oversight Panel
monitoring the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), only 1.26% of
trial modifications under HAMP were able to convert to permanent status as of
September 1, 2009. Ocwen, however, converted 13.9% of its customers' trial
modifications during that timeframe, and its conversion rate is now over 20% and
climbing.
Servicers collect HAMP incentive fees only for modifications that convert to
permanent status. To convert, the servicer must obtain and verify all
documentation required of the homeowner under HAMP guidelines and receive three
monthly payments on the modified loan during the trial period. The converted
modifications can also generate second- and third-year bonus fees for servicers,
assuming the loans continue to perform.
"Our technology and analytics-based approach to prudent modifications is paying
off, as shown by the proportion of permanent HAMP modifications completed for
Ocwen customers. We believe it's better for our business, and better for
struggling homeowners, for us to do the difficult, detailed re-underwriting work
up front. We're committed to modifications that stick; those are the ones that
help homeowners for the long run, mitigate the mortgage crisis and, importantly,
generate incremental revenue for our shareholders," said Ocwen President Ronald
M. Faris.
Ocwen Supports Obama Administration and Housing Advocacy Groups in Fighting
Foreclosures
Ocwen was one of the first servicers to begin executing modifications under HAMP
and has pledged to work with the Obama Administration to implement and improve
its foreclosure prevention efforts. "Sustainable modifications are the key to a
lasting solution to the daunting foreclosure crisis which threatens so many
families. We applaud and support the Administration's efforts to assist
homeowners with unaffordable mortgages," said Ocwen Chairman and CEO William C.
Erbey.
"Ocwen recently convened more than 30 representatives of grassroots and national
housing advocacy organizations for a roundtable discussion to share new ideas
and insights related to preventing foreclosures and helping homeowners. The
Ocwen and community groups representatives agreed upon a number of imperatives,
including:
* Working closely with Treasury to arrive at more flexible
guidelines so more distressed homeowners qualify for mortgage
modifications under HAMP.
* Developing a national HAMP awareness and information campaign
to increase homeowner outreach.
* Focusing more intensely on homeowners who are unemployed or
under-employed and thus need state or federal assistance to
qualify for mortgage modifications.
* Greater collaboration between servicers and grassroots groups
in providing real-time solutions for homeowners -- including
being more proactive about helping borrowers early on, before
they face the prospect of foreclosure" said Paul A. Koches,
Executive Vice President of Ocwen.
Since the onset of the mortgage crisis, Ocwen has saved over 100,000 homes from
foreclosure, altering loans so distressed homeowners can afford them and so they
perform for investors.
About Ocwen Financial Corporation
Ocwen Financial Corporation is a leading provider of residential and commercial
loan servicing, special servicing and asset management services. Ocwen is
headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida with offices in California, the
District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia and New York and support operations in
India and Uruguay. Utilizing our global infrastructure, proprietary technology,
world-class training and processes, we provide solutions that make our clients'
loans worth more. Additional information is available at www.Ocwen.com.
-0-
CONTACT: Sommerfield Communications
Adria Greenberg
212.255.8386
adria@sommerfield.com
Comments (0)
This discussion is now closed. We welcome comments on our articles for a limited period after their publication.



Follow Reuters