Mortgage Lenders, Closing Agents Effected Most by New RESPA Rule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Nikki Smith                       
Main line:  202-362-1500
Direct line: 202-274-1517
E-mail: nikki@federaltitle.com
Website: www.federaltitle.com

MORTGAGE LENDERS, CLOSING AGENTS EFFECTED MOST BY NEW 'CONTROVERSIAL' RESPA RULE
Expert to dissect consumer disclosure, anti-kickback statute at upcoming Q&A session. Free event.

Washington, D.C. – Mortgage banking and consumer finance expert Holly Spencer Bunting will address controversy surrounding the reformed Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act during a presentation and Q&A session next month.

The new RESPA rule, which aims to connect the dots between estimated closing costs set forth in the good faith estimate and actual closing costs disclosed in the HUD-1 form, will mostly impact mortgage lenders and closing agents.

"The rule continues to stir controversy," Bunting said.

While there's hope the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will delay implementation, settlement service providers are gearing up for Jan. 1, 2010 effective date, she added.

Mortgage lenders and real estate agents are encouraged to attend the free luncheon event, beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 16 at the Kenwood Golf & Country Club in Bethesda, Md., presented by Federal Title & Escrow Company.

"At its core, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, is a consumer disclosure and anti-kickback statute intended to alert consumers about their settlement costs and to prohibit kickbacks that could increase mortgage costs," said Todd Ewing, president of Federal Title.

Claims that fraud, deception and general consumer ignorance led to the disastrous outcome of the real estate lending bubble fueled the overhaul of the home buyer protection statute. Bunting will provide an in-depth overview of the components of HUD's final RESPA rule and the new HUD-1 and GFE disclosure forms.

About the Holly Spencer Bunting:
Bunting is an associate with the Washington, D.C. office of K&L Gates. She represents companies in mortgage lending, title insurance and real estate industries in connection with regulatory compliance matters, according to her biography on the company's website.

Her articles have appeared in a variety of publications including "The Review of Banking and Financial Services," "Mortgage Banking and Consumer Credit Alert," and "The Banking Law Journal."


About Federal Title & Escrow Company:
In an industry contaminated by affiliated business arrangements, kickbacks and other referral incentives, the Internet returns the power to the people. Federal Title recognizes consumer-driven market pressures, as exemplified by the new RESPA rule, and seeks to offer home buyers substantial closing cost savings and a streamlined settlement process.

Federal Title has a reputation of being technically innovative and always at the forefront of the latest real estate trends. Years ago the company made a bold move by eschewing all Affiliated Business Arrangements and established its REAL Credit Program, which saves home buyers up to $2,000 on closing costs.

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