From the CFPB Press Release, August 4, 2015
Bureau Issues Bulletin Regarding Homeowners Protection Act
Washington, D.C. – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today issued a bulletin providing guidance to mortgage servicers regarding the cancellation and termination of private mortgage insurance. The bulletin explains certain requirements of the Homeowners Protection Act and is intended to help servicers comply with the law.
“Consumers should not be billed for unnecessary private mortgage insurance,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “We will continue to supervise mortgage servicers to ensure they are treating borrowers fairly, and today’s guidance should help servicers come into compliance with the Homeowners Protection Act.”
Private mortgage insurance protects the lender if the borrower stops making payments on a loan. Lenders generally require consumers to purchase private mortgage insurance if their down payment is less than 20 percent of the sales price or the appraised value of the home. PMI premiums are added to the borrower’s monthly mortgage payment. The Homeowners Protection Act of 1998 was passed by Congress to address borrowers’ difficulties in canceling private mortgage insurance when they had reached a certain level of equity in the property.