The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has suspended Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corporation (TBW) of Ocala, Fla., thereby preventing the company from originating and underwriting new FHA-insured mortgages. The Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) is also defaulting and terminating TBW as an issuer in its Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS) program and is ending TBW's ability to continue to service Ginnie Mae securities. This means that, effective immediately, TBW will not be able to issue Ginnie Mae securities, and Ginnie Mae will take control of TBW's nearly $25 billion Ginnie Mae portfolio.
FHA and Ginnie Mae are imposing these actions because TBW failed to submit a required annual financial report and misrepresented that there were no unresolved issues with its independent auditor even though the auditor ceased its financial examination after discovering certain irregular transactions that raised concerns of fraud. FHA's suspension is also based on TBW's failure to disclose, and its false certifications concealing, that it was the subject of two examinations into its business practices in the past year.
"Today, we suspend one company but there is a very clear message that should be heard throughout the FHA lending world - operate within our standards or we won't do business with you," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.
FHA Commissioner David Stevens said, "TBW failed to provide FHA with financial records that help us to protect the integrity of our insurance fund and our ability to continue a 75-year track record of promoting, preserving and protecting the American Dream. We were also troubled that the Company not only failed to disclose it was a target of a multi-state examination and a separate action by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, but then falsely certified that it had not been sanctioned by any state. FHA won't tolerate irresponsible lending practices."
Ginnie Mae President Joseph Murin said, "I would like to reassure TBW's customers whose loans serve as collateral for Ginnie Mae securities that, although this action will result in a new servicer, the transition will be seamless for them."
TBW's immediate suspension is for a temporary period pending the completion of an investigation by HUD's Office of Inspector General, an ongoing review by the Department's Office of Housing, and any legal proceedings that may ensue. TBW is the third largest direct endorsement lender of FHA-insured loans and the eighth largest issuer of Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities. FHA decided that TBW's immediate suspension is in the best interest of the public and is necessary to protect the financial interests of the Department.
TBW may appeal its immediate suspension by submitting a written request for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge within 30 days. Such a request will not delay the action FHA is announcing today.
In conjunction with TBW's suspension, HUD sent notices of proposed debarment to TBW's Chief Executive Officer, Paul R. Allen, and TBW's President, Ray Bowman. Allen's proposed debarment alleges that he submitted false and/or misleading information to Ginnie Mae regarding TBW's delay in submitting its audited financial reports for fiscal year ending on March 31, 2009. Mr. Bowman's proposed debarment alleges that he submitted two false certifications to HUD on TBW's Yearly Verification Report. Mr. Allen and Mr. Bowman have thirty days to contest the proposed debarments.
For more information, visit www.hud.gov.
