RealtyBizNews - Real Estate Marketing and Beyond
Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
Home » Housing » US Real Estate » Citibank, Wells Fargo Halt Foreclosure Sales Due To New Rules

Citibank, Wells Fargo Halt Foreclosure Sales Due To New Rules

By Mike Wheatley | May 21, 2013

Two of America's biggest banks have announced a temporary halt to foreclosure sales in several US states. Citigroup and Wells fargo said that the move was a precautionary measure after federal regulators made changes to guidance on the minimum standards applied to foreclosure transactions in the affected states.

medium_3899715321

photo credit: taberandrew via photopin cc

The new standards were announced by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and introduce 13 new questions that banks need to answer before they can sell a foreclosed home, reports American Banker. Questions include whether or not borrowers have protection from foreclosure by bankruptcy, and whether or not borrowers have negotiated a loan modification arrangement.

JPMorgan also announced a temporary halt on foreclosure sales, only to quickly resume doing so.

The halt in foreclosure sales appears to be most evident with Wells Fargo, which has seen a dramatic fall in the number of such transaction. In addition, it's seen a big decrease in the number of sales currently being processed. Wells Fargo foreclosure sales in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington have fallen from an average of 349 per day to just 10 per day, according to stats from Foreclosure Radar.

Speaking to American Banker, a spokesperson for Wells Fargo confirmed the bank's decision:

"Wells Fargo has temporarily postponed certain foreclosure sales while we study the revised guidance from the OCC," said the spokesperson

Officials from Citibank also confirmed that the lender was studying the new guidelines before resuming foreclosure sales.

Speaking on behalf of the OCC, Bryan Hubbard told American Banker that the agency wasn't responsible for slowing down or pausing foreclosure sales.

"However, if servicers are not certain they are meeting these standards, pausing foreclosures is a responsible and productive step," stated Hubbard.

Mike Wheatley is the senior editor at Realty Biz News. Got a real estate related news article you wish to share, contact Mike at [email protected].
  • One comment on “Citibank, Wells Fargo Halt Foreclosure Sales Due To New Rules”

    1. please hurry! I want to buy a specific house going through foreclosure with wells fargo. Its been 6mo! someone from wf please contact me. I just want to know how much longer until it comes up.

  • Sign up to Realty Biz Buzz
    Get Digital Marketing Training
    right to your inbox
    All Contents © Copyright RealtyBizNews ยท All Rights Reserved. 2016-2024
    Website Designed by Swaydesign.
    linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram