Analysts: Rumors of Extending HARP Eligibility By One Year Could Strain Servicer Resources
May 24, 2013
Even as industry chatter increases about an effort to extend the eligibility date of the Home Affordable Refinance Program, analysts speculate that more HARP may be too much of a good thing for the mortgage market. Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cite evidence of a creeping goal line to move back by 12 months the June 1, 2009, cut-off date for HARP eligibility. KBW cites a Saturday morning address by President Obama earlier this month on the subject of refinance. While he did not specifically mention extending HARP, we think an announcement could be coming over the next few weeks to extend the eligibility back one year, said KBW. More telling, said BAML, is...