New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has warned Wells Fargo to reverse a new policy that temporarily suspends review of mortgage relief applications from New York homeowners, many of whom are still struggling to recover in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. In a letter to Wells Fargo, Attorney General Schneiderman warned the bank that its directive to suspend “all home preservation reviews and decisions” across the Northeast “in order to await further instructions from FEMA” likely violates the terms of the National Mortgage Settlement. That historic agreement, reached in March between 49 State Attorneys General, the Department of Justice, and the nation’s five largest mortgage servicing companies including Wells Fargo, mandates lender compliance with a number of servicing reforms, including swift review and response timelines for borrowers seeking mortgage modifications and other forms of relief.
AG Schneiderman informed Wells Fargo that his office will not allow the bank to use the devastation inflicted by Sandy to evade their obligations under the settlement. The Attorney General’s letter to the Chairman, President and CEO of Wells Fargo today demands the bank immediately rescind this policy and comply with its obligations without interruption.
“Wells Fargo is not excused from any of its obligations under the National Mortgage Settlement or under New York law as a result of Hurricane Sandy,” wrote Attorney General Schneiderman. “My office will aggressively pursue any loan servicing company that uses this tragic event as an excuse to violate loss mitigation decision timelines. Countless families in New York have suffered tremendously because of this natural disaster. As we work to help those affected rebuild their lives, my office expects Wells Fargo’s full cooperation in ensuring that no additional and unwarranted damage is inflicted on those who were victims of this tragic event."
A copy of the AG’s letter to Wells Fargo is below in full:
November 16, 2012
John G. Stumpf
Chairman, President and CEO
Wells Fargo & Company
Wells Fargo Corporate Office Headquarters
420 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94163
Dear Mr. Stumpf:
I am writing on an urgent matter regarding the decision by Wells Fargo to suspend loss mitigation and loan modification requests from homeowners in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
My office has been contacted by a number of legal service providers who represent homeowners in New York State seeking mortgage modifications from Wells Fargo. A law firm representing your institution has issued a letter which states that Wells Fargo will unilaterally suspend “all Home Preservation reviews and decisions” in the wake of the Hurricane Sandy. Further it states that Wells Fargo will not respond to requests for mortgage relief until you receive further information from FEMA.
I am certain that you are aware that under the National Mortgage Settlement, as well as under pre-existing NY State law, Wells Fargo is required to adhere to strict timelines when evaluating a homeowner’s request for a loan modification. Specifically, Wells Fargo is required to make a decision about a homeowner’s loan modification request within 30 days of receiving a completed application package. Wells Fargo’s decision to delay review will likely result in multiple violations of the National Mortgage Settlement.
Please be advised that Wells Fargo is not excused from any of its obligations under the National Mortgage Settlement or under New York law as a result of Hurricane Sandy, and that my office will aggressively pursue any loan servicing company that uses this tragic event as an excuse to violate loss mitigation decision timelines.
Further, my office is requesting immediate confirmation that Wells Fargo will rescind this policy, and that you and your legal representatives will take all necessary steps to communicate a retraction to homeowners who may have been improperly denied foreclosure mitigation assistance.
Countless families in New York have suffered tremendously because of this natural disaster. As we work to help those affected rebuild their lives, my office expects Wells Fargo’s full cooperation in ensuring that no additional and unwarranted damage is inflicted on those who were victims of this tragic event.
My office looks forward to your swift and immediate consideration regarding this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Eric T. Schneiderman
cc: David Moskowitz, Deputy General Counsel
