Equity Accelerators Program Targeted in Class Action Probe
September 12, 2011
Baron and Budd, a national plaintiffs’ law firm based in Los Angeles, is eyeing a possible class action against some top mortgage banks by investigating so-called equity accelerator programs, said to be offered by JP Morgan Chase, Citibank, Wells Fargo and numerous other banks and mortgage lenders. The programs are apparently being promoted as something that can help save substantial money on a home mortgage. However, the lawyers say banks are taking advantage of people enrolled in the program by failing to apply funds to the mortgage on the same day they are withdrawn from the customers’ accounts, meaning that consumers are essentially giving the bank a loan without their knowledge – and ultimately saving no money on their home mortgage.
The new FHFA director’s whirlwind first week resulted in widespread staffing cuts at the regulator and a dramatic change in leadership at the GSEs. So far, criticism has been muted.
News Tailored to Your Needs
Get Focused Coverage
Inside Mortgage Finance's newsletters break the mortgage market down so you get the news and data you need most, whether it's total industry coverage or just the news related to securitization, regulation, profits or other specific topics.