Expectations Low on Obama Refi Plan II, Fed Official Cites Need to Reduce HARP Frictions
September 8, 2011
As part of a new jobs and economic growth plan to be announced this week, the White House is expected to include a bid to invigorate a mortgage refinance effort that has failed to live up to expectations. Most observers think the Obama administration will opt for targeted changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program. In a speech last week, Federal Reserve Board Governor Elizabeth Duke said HARP has been only marginally effective despite Fed estimates that as many as 4 million borrowers meet HARPs basic eligibility requirements. Through the end of June, some 830,552 borrowers had refinanced their home loans under HARP, which allows... [Includes one data chart]