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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
SUFFOLK, ss. SUPERIOR COURT
DEPARTMENT OF THE TRIAL COURT
CIVIL ACTION NO.
In re Nationstar Mortgage LLC
J 22 >oy PURSUANT TO M. G.L. CHAPTER 93A, § 5
a* I. INTRODUCTION
ASSURANCE OF DISCONTINUANCE
1. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ("Commonwealth"), t gh the Office of
Attorney General Maura Healey ("AGO"), and Nationstar Mortgage LLC ("Nationstar") enter
into this Assurance of Discontinuance ("AOD") pursuant to M.G.L. c. 93 A, § 5.
2. Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 93A, § 6, the AGO conducted an investigation into
Nationstar's compliance with, inter alia, M.G.L. c. 244, § 35B ("Section 35B" or "35B") and
M.GL. c. 93A, § 2 in the conduct of its business of servicing mortgage loans secured by
properties in Massachusetts. Section 35B requires that mortgage creditors take "reasonable steps,
and [make] a good faith effort to avoid foreclosure" by reviewing certain Massachusetts
borrowers who have statutorily defined "certain mortgage loans."
3. Section 35B details the process by which creditors must (a) solicit these
borrowers through written notice of the borrower's "right to pursue a modified mortgage loan"
(the "35B notice"), and, (b) where requested, conduct loan modification reviews and, if
applicable, offer loan modifications that meet certain specified criteria.
4. As a result of the investigation, the AGO alleges that Nationstar violated M.G.L.
c. 244, § 35B and c. 93A, § 2 by failing to provide a timely and compliant loan modification
review to homeowners with Certain Mortgage Loans who availed themselves of the protections
1
of 35B by returning the "Mortgage Modification Options" form (the "MMO"), defined by 209
CMR 56.09.
5. In resolution of the allegations described in this AOD and in recognition of
Nationstar's assistance and cooperation throughout the investigation, the AGO agrees to accept
this AOD on the terms and conditions contained herein, pursuant to the Massachusetts Consumer
Protection Act, M.G.L. c. 93A, § 5. Nationstar voluntarily enters into this AOD, which is made
without any trial or adjudication, or findings of any issue of fact or law, and is not a final order of
any court.
6. Nationstar enters into this AOD for settlement purposes only and neither admits
nor denies the AGO's allegations.
7. This AOD is solely for the benefit of the parties to this AOD and may not be used
or relied upon by third parties.
IL DEFINITIONS
8. All terms defined in 35B, including without limitation, "borrower," "creditor,"
and "mortgage loan," shall have the same meaning when used herein.
9. "Certain Mortgage Loan" shall mean a loan to a natural person made primarily for
personal, family or household puiposes secured wholly or partially by a mortgage on an owner-
occupied residential property with 1 or more of the following loan features: (i) an introductory
interest rate granted for a period of 3 years or less and such introductory rate is at least 2 per cent
lower than the fully indexed rate; (ii) interest-only payments for any period of time, except in the
case where the mortgage loan is an open-end home equity line of credit or is a construction loan;
(iii) a payment option feature, where any 1 of the payment options is less than principal and
interest fully amortized over the life of the loan; (iv) the loan did not require full documentation
2
of income or assets; (v) prepayment penalties that exceed section 56 of chapter 183 or applicable
federal law; (vi) the loan was underwritten with a loan-to-value ratio at or above 90 per cent and
the ratio of the borrower's debt, including all housing-related and recurring monthly debt, to the
borrower's income exceeded 38 per cent; or (vii) the loan was underwritten as a component of a
loan transaction, in which the combined loan-to-value ratio exceeded 95 per cent; provided,
however, that a loan shall be a certain mortgage loan if, after the performance of reasonable due
diligence, a creditor is unable to determine whether the loan has 1 or more of the loan features in
clauses (i) to (vii), inclusive; and provided, further, that loans financed by the Massachusetts
Housing Finance Agency, established in Chapter 708 of the acts of 1966 and loans originated
through programs administered by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund board
established in section 35 of chapter 405 of the acts of 1985 shall not be certain mortgage loans.
10. "Covered Conduct" shall mean all activities by Nationstar in connection with (i)
its compliance with the requirements of M.G.L. c. 244, § 35B, and (ii) the issuance of temporary
term interest-only modifications.
11. "Covered Mortgage Loan" shall mean a closed-end, first mortgage loan serviced
by Nationstar as of the filing of this AOD that is secured by a property that is located in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is not owned, guaranteed, insured, payable to or
administered on behalf of the Federal National Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan
Mortgage Corporation, Ginnie Mae, the Federal Housing Authority, United States Department of
Agriculture, Department of Veterans Affairs, or other federal or state agency or authority; any
home equity line of credit (HELOC) and reverse mortgage shall be and are hereby expressly
excluded from the definition of "Covered Mortgage Loan."
3
12. "Responsive Borrower" shall mean a borrower who has a Certain Mortgage
Loan, as defined supra, who provides Nationstar with a completed MMO form, which form is
defined and modeled pursuant to the requirements of 209 CMR 56.09 (as may from time to time
be amended), not more than thirty (30) days following delivery by Nationstar of the 35B notice
("delivery" is defined in 35B(c) and 209 CMR 56.05) and who requests a loan modification
review under 35B.
III. ALLEGATIONS
13. In 2012, the Massachusetts Legislature passed An Act to Prevent Unlawful and
Unnecessary Foreclosures, Chapter 194 of the Acts of 2012, codified in part as M.G.L. c. 244, §
35B.
14. To address the Legislature's concern that Certain Mortgage Loans may have an
enhanced risk of default and foreclosure. Section 35B provides for heightened protections when
borrowers with such loans fall behind on payments and face foreclosure. Pursuant to 35B,
borrowers with Certain Mortgage Loans receive a statutorily defined notice and, if certain
criteria are met, a loan modification process prior to the creditor causing publication of a notice
of foreclosure sale as required by M.G.L. c. 244, § 14.
15. The AGO alleges that Nationstar is a mortgage servicer, and as such is obligated
to comply with Section 35B, which includes mortgage servicers as "creditors," as that term is
defined by the statute. M.G.L. c. 244, § 35B(a).
16. The AGO alleges that in various instances Nationstar failed to comply with the
requirements of M.G.L. c. 244, § 35B, and its associated regulations 209 CMR 56.00 etseq. and
therefore violated M.G.L. c. 93A, § 2. The AGO asserts these alleged violations of 35B include,
without limitation:
4
i. Failing to record, capture or note in Nationstar's systems when borrowers
returned the MMO form indicating that those borrowers wished to pursue a loan
modification pursuant to 35B;
ii. Offering two-year interest-only modifications that result in lower payments for a
two-year period, but then may result in payments substantially higher than before
the modification, and thereby violating 35B's requirement that borrowers be
reviewed for a loan modification they can "reasonably afford to repay ...
according to its scheduled payments";
iii. Failing to complete a timely review of borrowers' loan modification application
required by 35B(c) and causing undue delay in the loan modification review
process;
iv. In some instances, denying loan modification applications on the basis that the
boiTowers had not returned sufficient documents to be reviewed, notwithstanding
Nationstar's failures to adequately or timely communicate the requirements to the
borrowers;
v. Failing to disclose to borrowers Nationstar's determination of the income, debts
and obligations and the net present value assessment performed by Nationstar in
the review of the loan modification, as required by 35B(c);
vi. Failing to provide borrowers with notice of their right to present a counter-offer
after being offered a loan modification as part of a 35B review, as required by
35B(c);
vii. Recording affidavits pursuant to 35B(f) attesting to Nationstar's compliance with
the requirements of 35B, notwithstanding the deficiencies in its 35B loan
modification review processes described above, including, notably, the failure to
identify MMO forms returned by the borrower, and by recording such affidavits
eliminating the borrower's ability to raise challenges to the 35B process if a
foreclosure is completed and the property sold to a third party; and,
viii. Failing to accurately report borrower response rates under 35B to the
Massachusetts Division of Banks (the "DOB") as required by 35B(g), thereby
skewing the public facing reports intended to assess the efficacy of this law.
17. The AGO alleges that Nationstar's practices put homeowners at unnecessary and
unlawful risk of foreclosures in violation of the requirements of 35B, and thereby constituted
unfair and deceptive acts and practices in violation of M.G.L. c. 93A, § 2.
5
18. The AGO further alleges that the acts or practices identified in paragraph 16
above are independently or in combination unfair or deceptive, and as such constitute violations
of M.G.L. c. 93A.
19. Nationstar admits neither the truth of any allegations in this AOD, nor that the
alleged conduct, even if it had occurred, would constitute a violation of Chapter 93A; of Section
35B or its associated regulations, 209 CMR 56.00 et. seq.; of Massachusetts foreclosure law,
M.G.L. c. 244, § 14; and/or of any other law or legal requirements.
IV. ASSURANCES AND UNDERTAKINGS
20. Nationstar shall take the following actions in order to remedy the Covered
Conduct and allegations described in this AOD, and to ensure compliance with M.G.L. c. 244, §
35B and its associated regulations. Within sixty (60) days of the filing of this AOD, Nationstar
shall submit documentation to the AGO sufficient to demonstrate the implementation of
procedures, policies and programs to demonstrate compliance with the Assurances and
Undertakings set forth in this Section IV.
A. PROSPECTIVE PRACTICE CHANGES
The 35B Notice and Returned MMO Form
21. Nationstar shall ensure it has sufficient systems and protocols in place to record,
capture or otherwise note when a MMO form is returned in response to a 35B Notice. Such
protocols shall be consistent with the following;
i. Nationstar shall send the 35B notice to all borrowers who are eligible to receive
the notice pursuant to M.G.L. c. 244, § 35B, and its associated regulations 209
CMR 56.00 et seq.
6
ii. Upon issuance of the 35B Notice, Nationstar shall put in place a flag or other
notation in Nationstar's servicing systems that makes it evident to any Nationstar
collections/loss mitigation personnel that the Massachusetts borrower has been
sent the 35B Notice, and that the borrower may return the MMO form in order
pursue a loan modification review;
ill. Nationstar shall provide sufficient training to reasonably prepare a single point of
contact ("SPOC") team specifically designated for handling Massachusetts loans
while the 35B flag or notation identified in subparagraph 21(ii) is active, to be
familiar with and answer questions regarding 35B and the deadline by which the
MMO form must be returned in order to initiate a loan modification review
pursuant to the statute;
iv. Nationstar shall consider a MMO form to have been timely returned on the date it
is delivered to Nationstar at the address provided to the borrower, and shall not
count against the borrower any delay on Nationstar's part in uploading said form
into Nationstar's tracking system; and
v. Nationstar shall code or otherwise record in Nationstar's servicing systems all
returned MMO forms such that these forms can be tracked within Nationstar's
systems for purposes of the 35B loan modification review and reporting
requirements for the DOB pursuant to 35B(g).
7
The 35B Loan Modification Review
22. Nationstar shall complete a timely review of a Responsive Borrower's 35B loan
modification application consistent with the requirements of 35B, and its associated
regulations.
23. Upon receipt of a request to pursue a 35B modification review from a Responsive
Borrower, Nationstar shall review such borrower's submission for aU missing documents that
Nationstar requires to complete the loan modification review. Nationstar shall use best efforts to
make only one request for documents following the borrower's initial submission. Such request
shall issue consistent with the timelines set forth in 209 CMR 56.07.
24. Nationstar shall only request documents that it requires to complete the
underwriting review of the loan modification.
25. Nationstar shall not delay or otherwise deny the loan modification on the basis
that a borrower failed to submit any redundant or unnecessary documentation to complete the
underwriting review of the loan modification.
26. Within thirty (30) days of the latter of Nationstar's receipt of a Responsive
Borrower's (i) notification that he/she intends to pursue a modified mortgage loan, or (ii) a
completed application package, Nationstar shall provide such borrower with its written
assessment. As required by 35B(c), Nationstar's written assessment shall disclose Nationstar's
calculation of the borrower's debts, income and obligations, as well as the result of the net
present value test, upon offer or denial of a loan modification. To the extent the written
assessment requires information from a third-party, which is not controllable by Nationstar,
Nationstar shall endeavor to provide the written assessment as soon as practicable and shall
1 The requirements of paragraphs 22, 23, and 26 shall apply only for Responsive Borrowers whose loan meets the
definition of a Covered Mortgage Loan.
8
notify the borrower of the reason for any delay. Delay caused by a third party shall not in any
way result in the borrower being required to update previously submitted documents that were
timely, but for the third-party's delay.
27. Where Nationstar is required to transfer the servicing rights to a mortgage loan
during the pendency of the 35B loan modification review, Nationstar shall notify the new
servicer of the status of the 35B review at the time of transfer and the outcome of the loan
modification review, if applicable. Any trial plan or permanent modification Nationstar offered
to the borrower shall be promptly communicated to the subsequent servicer to prevent
unreasonable delay in implementation.
Certain Mortgage Loan Modifications
28. Any borrower who timely returns the MMO form to Nationstar and requests a
loan modification review will be reviewed to ascertain whether the borrower has a Certain
Mortgage Loan.
A. If the borrower has a Certain Mortgage Loan that is also a Covered Mortgage
Loan, Nationstar will review such borrower for a modification under the program offered
by Nationstar in Appendix A.
i. If the result of the 35B loan modification review under Appendix A is net present
value positive, favoring the loan modification over foreclosure, Nationstar shall
offer the borrower the modification in accordance with the specifications in
Appendix A; and
ii. If the result of the 35B loan modification review under Appendix A is net present
value negative, Nationstar shall review the borrower for a modification under
9
other programs, if any, offered by or otherwise available to Nationstar for such
mortgage loans.
B. If the borrower does not have a Covered Mortgage Loan and/or a Certain
Mortgage Loan, Nationstar will review such borrower for a modification under all
available programs, if any, offered by or otherwise available to Nationstar for such
mortgage loans.
29. Notwithstanding the limitation in 35B(c) that the "right to a modified mortgage
loan, as described in this section, shall be granted once during any 3-year period," Nationstar will
issue one additional 35B Notice to any borrower who; (i) has a Covered Mortgage Loan that was
not foreclosed upon; and (ii) is between 36-60 days' delinquent as of January 22, 2018, or
becomes 35 days' delinquent at a later point. Such borrowers will be afforded all rights pursuant
to 35B to request a loan modification. The three-year limitations period of 35B(c) shall then
apply to this additional notice.
30. The loan modification program described in Appendix A will be offered as
described above for three years from the date of the filing of this AOD, unless the AGO after
consultation with Nationstar and in her sole discretion, agrees in writing to an earlier end date.
At the conclusion of the three-year period referenced herein, or any time thereafter, Nationstar
may either continue to offer the program in Appendix A or adopt a different loan modification
program that is compliant with Section 35B. In the event Nationstar chooses to adopt a new loan
modification program, it shall provide written notice to the AGO along with the terms of the new
program.
2 The 35-day period set forth herein is consistent with Nationstar's current practice of issuing a 35B notice to a
borrower that is 35 days' delinquent. To the extent Nationstar's practice changes, that deadline may be altered by
Nationstar provided Nationstar affords borrowers the same substantive rights reflected in this paragraph.
10
B. FILING AFFIDAVITS OF COMPLIANCE PURSUANT TO 35B(f)
31. Nationstar shall ensure the Nationstar employees who sign affidavits attesting to
Nationstar's compliance with 35B's requirements pursuant to 35B(f), have reviewed business
records that accurately reflect the actions taken in connection with the mortgage loan at issue.
32. Nationstar shall perform regular reviews of borrower account information to
ensure its practices and protocols intended to ensure compliance with 35B are consistent with the
requirements of the statute, its implementing regulations and this ADD.
33. Nationstar shall develop a reporting mechanism through which any employee may
report inconsistencies, errors or other issues identified in the 35B process. Any such reports
shall be sent to the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of Nationstar, who shall conduct a review
of the allegations or concerns and work with management and other control groups at Nationstar
to ensure that all processes and controls dealing with 35B are effective and moreover in
compliance with this AOD and applicable law. At the conclusion of any review the CCO shall
notify the manager of those employees executing 35B(f) affidavits so that they are aware of any
efforts to remedy the concerns identified in such reports.
34. Nationstar 35B(f) affiants shall also be made familiar with the terms and
allegations in this AOD and their obligations under the law.
C. REPORTING TO THE DIVISION OF BANKS
35. Nationstar shall ensure that it submits materially accurate reports to the DOB
pursuant to the requirements of 35B(g), the implementing regulations, and in accordance with
the DOB's instructions.
11
V. PRINCIPAL REDUCTION LOAN MODIFICATION REVIEW FOR
CERTAIN HOMEOWNERS
36. In an effort to fully and finally resolve this investigation, Nationstar shall also
provide the following categories of borrowers with the opportunity to be reviewed for the loan
modification described in Appendix A. If the borrowers timely respond to the invitation, these
bon'owers will be reviewed for the loan modification described in Appendix A regardless of
whether they timely returned a MMO form or have a Certain Mortgage Loan. The categories
eligible for this relief are:
1. Any borrower with a Covered Mortgage Loan that is more than 60 days'
delinquent as of January 22, 2018, that has not been foreclosed upon, and that is
not on an active trial plan awaiting permanent modification;
ii. Any borrower with a Covered Mortgage Loan subject to an Interest-Only
Modification Program as of January 22, 2018; or
iii. Any borrower or former borrower who (1) has or had a property secured by a
Covered Mortgage Loan; (2) the Covered Mortgage Loan was foreclosed upon
prior to August 1, 2017; and (3) the borrower currently remains in the property .
37. Nationstar has disclosed the approximate number of borrowers that fall into each
category above to the AGO. Nationstar will provide a list of the eligible borrowers within 60
days of filing the AOD, if not sooner.
38. Nationstar will provide notice of the opportunity to pursue a loan modification
review to these borrowers as specified in a form and schedule to be approved by the AGO.
3TO the extent that any Covered Mortgage Loan that would otherwise fall into the categories identified in paragraph
36(i) - (iii) is in active contested litigation, Nationstar will review the Covered Mortgage Loan for a MMO form that
was timely returned. If no form was timely returned, then the borrower will not be eligible for relief under paragraph
36 and the litigation will proceed. If an MMO form was timely returned, the borrower would be offered the loan
modification review described in Appendix A.
12
39. Nationstar shall not proceed with foreclosure on the Covered Mortgage Loans
identified in paragraph 36(i) - (iii) until these borrowers have had the opportunity to apply and
be fully reviewed for the loan modification program identified in Appendix A.
40. Nationstar represents to the AGO that it does not anticipate any event or
circumstance that will impede it from completing the Appendix A loan modification review of
all or substantially all of the borrowers with Covered Mortgage Loans identified for review in
this Section V. Nationstar acknowledges that the foregoing representation is material to the
AGO's decision to enter into this AOD.
41. Should the seivicing rights to any Covered Mortgage Loan identified in paragraph
36(i)-(iii) be required to be transferred before the loan modification process identified in
Appendix A is complete, and before the borrower either has an opportunity to accept any
program for which they are eligible or is sent a written assessment that they do not qualify,
Nationstar shall inform the successor servicer of this AOD, and the AGO of the transfer.
VI. MONETARY PAYMENT
42. Nationstar shall, within five (5) business days of execution of this AOD, forward
a payment of $500,000.00 to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. At her sole discretion, and so
long as permitted by law, the Attorney General shall distribute this payment: (a) to borrowers
affected directly by the conduct addressed through this AOD; (b) to the General Fund of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts; or (c) to the Local Consumer Aid Fund established pursuant
to M.G.L. c. 12, § 11G.
43. Unless otherwise directed by the AGO, this payment shall be made by wire
transfer or certified check, made payable to the "Commonwealth of Massachusetts," and shall be
(
13
delivered to Lisa Dyen, Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, Office of the
MA Attorney General, One Ashburton Place, 18th FL, Boston, MA 02108.
VII. COOPERATION AND REPORTING
44. Nationstar shall fully cooperate with the AGO in the implementation of this AOD
and any related AGO monitoring, reviews or compliance undertaken by the AGO.
45. Upon execution of this AOD, Nationstar will have no continuing obligation to
provide any documents or information to the AGO pursuant to the CID, including any
supplements thereto. However, Nationstar agrees to respond to reasonable requests from the
AGO for information or documentation related to the implementation of this AOD.
46. Biannually from the date of filing and continuing for two years, Nationstar shall
provide a "35B Monitoring Report" documenting its compliance with the requirements of
Section V, as well as any additional loan modification reviews conducted pursuant to 35B. The
format of the 35B Monitoring Report shall be reasonably approved by the AGO.
VIII. RELEASE
47. The AGO fully and finally releases Nationstar and its parent corporations,
affiliates, subsidiaries and subdivisions, and their officers, agents, servants, employees, and
shareholders, from any and all civil liability arising out of conduct occurring prior to the
execution of this AOD relating to (i) compliance with 35B and/or its associated regulations, 209
CMR 56.00 etseq., (ii) M.G.L. c. 244, § 35A, (iii) publishing a notice of sale in a non-judicial
foreclosure proceeding prior to securing an assignment of mortgage in violation of M.G.L. c.
244, § 14, (iv) any Covered Conduct, and (v) any other alleged conduct described herein.
Accordingly, the AGO will not proceed with, or institute, a civil action or proceeding under
M.G.L. c. 93A, or any other civil statute or regulation, or common law, against Nationstar, its
14
parent corporations, affiliates, subsidiaries or subdivisions, or their officers, agents, servants,
employees, or shareholders alleging liability based on any such conduct from civil liabilities
enforceable by the AGO in connection with the conduct described in (i)-(v) in this paragraph.
48. Nationstar acknowledges the release does not cover criminal conduct.
V. GENERAL PROVISIONS
49. This AOD shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Suffolk Superior Court of the Commonwealth shall
retain jurisdiction over this AOD.
50. This AOD constitutes the entire agreement between the AGO and Nationstar and
supersedes any prior communication, understanding, or agreements, whether written or oral,
concerning the subject matter of this AOD, including the December 16, 2016 Tolling Agreement
and any hold agreements which shall be terminated upon entry of this AOD.
51. Nothing in this AOD shall preclude any Nationstar borrower from applying or
receiving any relief available for any similarly situated Nationstar borrower, including, without
limitation, an opportunity to apply for a deed in lieu, short sale or other foreclosure alternative,
incentive payments related to relinquishing rights to the property, loss mitigation or foreclosure
prevention reviews under any other settlement or resolution with any federal or state agency or
any other relief to which the borrower would otherwise be eligible.
52. This AOD can be amended or supplemented only by a written document signed
by all parties or by court order, including injunctive relief. Amendments or supplements may be
executed in separate counterparts, with signatures conveyed by mail or by facsimile, electronic
mail, or other electronic means.
15
53. This AOD does not supersede or alter Nationstar's obligation otherwise to comply
with applicable law.
54. This AOD does not resolve, settle, release or otherwise affect any actual or
potential claims against Nationstar by any parties, other than the Commonwealth and its
subdivisions.
55. Nationstar waives all rights to appeal or otherwise challenge or contest the
validity of this AOD.
56. Nationstar shall not argue that because of this AOD it is entitled to any offset or
reduction of any compensatory monetary remedies imposed in any related consumer or
government action.
57. In the event that 35B and/or its associated regulations are repealed, or a creditor's
obligations thereunder are substantially eliminated or otherwise substantially altered,
Nationstar's obligations under this AOD shall be adjusted consistent with the changes to the law.
Any such adjustment to Nationstar's obligations under this AOD will be confirmed in writing by
the AGO.
58. This AOD may be signed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be
considered an original and all of which, when considered together, shall constitute a whole. This
AOD shall be effective upon its execution by all parties hereto and shall thereafter be filed by the
AGO in the Superior Court for Suffolk County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
59. The signatories for Nationstar represent and warrant that they have the full legal
power, capacity, and authority to bind the parties for which they are executing this AOD.
60. Nationstar acknowledges that it was represented by counsel in this matter and had
the opportunity to read and consult with counsel regarding all of the terms of this AOD.
16
61. By signing below, Nationstar agrees to comply with all of the terms of this AOD.
DATED: January 18,2018
Office of the Massachusetts Attorney
General, Maura Healey
By:. ;
LisaR. DyenrtBBO# 676264)
Michael Lecaroz (BBO# 672397)
Assistant Attorneys General
Max Weinstein (BBO# 600982)
Chief, Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General
753863 V24/38755/118
17
Appendix A
Principal Reduction Loan Modification Review
Nationstar Mortgage LLC ("Nationstar") shall conduct the following Principal Reduction Loan
Modification Review (the "PRLM") for all borrowers who: (1) timely return the Mortgage
Modification Options form requesting a loan modification review and that have a Certain
Mortgage Loan that is also a Covered Mortgage Loan; and (2) those additional borrowers
identified in Section 36 of the Assurance of Discontinuance ("AOD") as eligible for the PRLM.
Borrowers eligible for the PRLM shall be evaluated as follows:
1. Determine the applicant's gross monthly income;
a. All Borrowers/Contributors
a RMA/UBAF
• Wage Earners- 2 Most Recent Paystubs with YTD Earning/Deductions H Self Employed- Most Recent Quarter Profit and Loss
• Rental Income- Current Lease Agreement along with (1) Proof of Receipt
• Partnership/SCorp- Most Recent Quarter Profit and Loss H Fixed Income (e.g., SSI, Pension, Annuity, Retirement) Current Award
letter OR (1) Proof of Receipt
• Food Stamps/Welfare- Current Award Letter
• Child Support/Alimony- Official Court Recorded Document along with
(2) Proof of Receipt* n HOA>$ 100 Monthly- Proof of HOA Statement
• Divorce- Court Recorded Divorce Decree
• Separation- Legal Separation Agreement OR Quit Claim Deed (if
applicable)
• Non-Married Borrowers- Quit Claim Deed
• Death of a Borrower-Death Certificate
* Child support or separate maintenance income does not need to be disclosed if
applicant chooses not to have it considered for repaying the mortgage debt. If the
additional income would disqualify applicant, it will be removed from
consideration.
2. Determine the applicant's current monthly mortgage payment to gross income ratio
(hereinafter the "Mortgage Payment Ratio" or "Payment Ratio");1
1 The calculation of the mortgage payment to income ratio shall be consistent with the guidelines utilized in the
Making Home Affordable, HAMP modification program. As such, the monthly mortgage payment shall include
principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and when applicable, association fees, and existing escrow shortages, and shall
be compared to the borrower's gross monthly income.
1
3. If the Mortgage Payment Ratio is below the target ratio of 31 %, the applicant is not
eligible for the PRLM and Nationstar shall review the applicant for a modification under
all available programs, if any, offered by or otherwise available to Nationstar for such
mortgage loans;
4. If the Mortgage Payment Ratio is above 31%, Nationstar will review the loan for a
PRLM by completing the following steps.
a. Waive any late fees;
b. Determine the outstanding principal balance by capitalizing all other fees
(excluding late fees), advances, and outstanding interest;
i. Capitalization
1. Current UPB + (Plus)
2. Outstanding escrow advances + (Plus)
3. Corporate Advances + (Plus)
4. Net Disbursements + (Plus)
5. Conversion Disbursements + (Plus)
6. Unpaid Legal Fees + (Plus)
7. Interest through mod effective date - (Less)
8. Suspense Balance
c. Apply the PRLM "Waterfall" as follows to the outstanding principal balance:
i. Reduce the outstanding principal balance until:
1. The current loan-to-value ratio ("LTV") reaches 80%; or
2. The applicant's payment reaches the 31% Mortgage Payment Ratio
for the applicant.
a. The Mortgage Payment Ratio must be at or below 31%.
ii. If the Mortgage Payment Ratio exceeds 31% after applying the principal
forgiveness described above, Nationstar will incrementally reduce the
interest rate by .125% to reach the 31% target Payment Ratio, stopping at
the current market rate, which is defined as the FHLMC/FNMA
Modification Interest Rate;
2
1. If at 80% LTV and target principal and interest payment is not
reached, reduce interest rate by .125% and stop at market rate as
defined above;
iii. If the target 31% Payment Ratio is not reached after the maximum interest
rate reduction, Nationstar will extend the term of the loan, incrementally
up to 15 years in order to achieve the 31% target Payment Ratio. In no
event, will the loan's term be extended beyond 45 years from the loan's
first payment due date.
d. Once the applicant meets the target Payment Ratio of 31% through adjustments
specified in the PRLM Waterfall (subparagraph c), Nationstar will perform the
FDIC's Net Present Value test (the "NPV test") on the adjusted loan.3
e. If the NPV test is positive, Nationstar will offer the applicant the PRLM loan
modification for which they were reviewed.
f. If the NPV test is negative, Nationstar will re-run the PRLM Waterfall but rather
than forgiving the principal balance down to 80% of the LTV ratio, Nationstar
will consider whether substituting some amount of principal deferment instead of
principal forgiveness to reach the 80% ratio will result in a positive NPV value,
and if so Nationstar will offer said modification ("second look").
i. Nationstar will substitute forbearance for forgiveness in increments of
25% until the calculation considers the modification with 100%
forbearance.
g. If the target monthly Mortgage Payment Ratio is not achieved or the NPV test
remains negative after the adjustments in subparagraph (f), Nationstar will review
for a modification under all programs, if any, offered by or otherwise available to
Nationstar for such mortgage loans.
5. Nationstar may require as a condition of the PRLM modification that the applicant
complete a three-month trial plan by timely making three "trial payments." The trial
principal and interest payment shall be equivalent to the permanent modification
2 If an applicable Pooling and Servicing Agreement restricts term extension, this step will be modified or eliminated
consistent with such restriction. 3 The FDIC net present value tool is available at
https://www.fdic.gov/consumers/assistance/protection/mortgages/fc-prevention/npvcalculator.html. In the event that
the calculator is no longer available on the FDIC website, Nationstar will supply the worksheet to any homeowner
who so requests.
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principal and interest payment*, and the principal and interest payment shall reflect the
31% target Mortgage Payment Ratio that was used in the PRLM Waterfall. Nationstar
may also require the applicant to execute and deliver documentation to Nationstar
codifying the modification.
* The trial payment and permanent modification payment may also include
escrow amounts.
6. If the applicable Pooling and Servicing Agreement (PSA) restricts principal reduction, or
the investor has any other restrictions that impede implementation of this PRLM review,
Nationstar will request a waiver from the investor(s). If the investor(s) does not grant a
waiver, simply refers Nationstar to the PSA, or fails to respond to the request in a
reasonable time (at least 10 business days) and the mortgage loan is for PRLM review,
Nationstar will notify the AGO, and provide 10 business days for the AGO to review the
restriction and Nationstar's determination, and respond. Nationstar will make one
additional request to the investor(s), if the AGO so requests, and will provide the name
and contact information of the investor(s). If after the AGO has had the opportunity to
review, respond and any subsequent request has been completed, Nationstar will review
the applicant for the PRLM without the principal forgiveness feature or any other feature
that is not permitted by the investor.
753862 V6/38755/118
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