With the 2009 fiscal year ending on September 30, this month’s HECM volume report revealed a new list of the top 10 reverse mortgage lenders, very much changed from that of last fiscal year.  The list is below, compared to that of 2009 FY. However, given how close many of the lenders are to each other in terms of the number of HECMs they endorsed, it is by no means clear how the list will shake out over the next few months.

October 2009:

1. Wells Fargo

2. Bank of America

3. MetLife Bank

4. Financial Freedom Acquisition

5. One Reverse Mortgage

6. 1st AAA Reverse Mortgage

7. First Mariner Bank

8. Security One Lending

9. Harvard Home Mortgage

10. Stay in Home Mortgage

Fiscal Year 2009:

1. Wells Fargo

2. Bank of America

3. World Alliance Financial Corp

4. Financial Freedom

5. One Reverse Mortgage

6. MetLife Bank

7. Countrywide Financial

8. Generation Mortgage

9. Urban Financial Group

10. 1st AAA Reverse Mortgage

Thus, from last year’s top 10, only 6 remain in the top 10 for October. The complete list for October can be found on the HUD website. The changes will also be reflected on the Reverse Mortgage Guides website in the Lender Directory in the near future.

We knew that reverse mortgage applications were likely to jump to new levels in September, but we did not know how much- until now. September’s FHA Outlook report shows a 72.4% increase in HECM applications in September versus August.  19,055 HECM applications were submitted in September, versus 11,051 in August.

Therefore, while only 9,473 reverse mortgages were endorsed by the FHA in September, up from 8,933 in August, the number appears poised to climb in October and November, as those who applied before the principle limit factors fell 10% on October 1st complete their applications. It is also interesting to note that the number of purchases and refinances made up a very small percentage of the reverse mortgages endorsed, with 137 HECMs for Purchase and 790 HECM Refinances endorsed in September.

Finally, as the fiscal year ended, it is good to see that the FHA’s predictions were fairly in line with the actual results.  162,619 HECM applications were filed, as opposed to the 165,000 projected in FY 2009. Of those, 114,691 HECMs were endorsed in FY 2009. This is an increase of 2.3% from last year, though still below the projected 119,700 endorsements. Nonetheless, it appears that the reverse mortgage industry grew in FY 2009, despite the recession, and appears poised for a strong beginning to FY 2010.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. These rates are effective for the week beginning November 3, 2009.

APR:

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.494

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.744

HECM LIBOR 275: 2.994

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.244

Expected Rates:

HECM LIBOR 225: 5.91

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.16

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.41

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.66

The HECM LIBOR APR remained almost unchanged for the sixth consecutive week. However, the expected rates continued to rise. This week saw a dramatic increase by .08 for the borrowers.  It will be interesting to see when the APR finally changes, and, when it does, whether the expected rates will adjust is the same direction.

Yesterday, Congress passed the continuing resolution we discussed yesterday, extending the HECM loan limit through the 2010 fiscal year.  The continuing resolution is now headed for the President’s signature, which it is expected to receive.  The continuing resolution means that the reverse mortgage loan limit will remain at $625,500.  The change reduces uncertainty about the future of the loan limits for HECM reverse mortgages.  As mentioned yesterday, the continuing resolution also includes jumbo conforming loans and conforming loans, two kinds of forward mortgages.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. These rates are effective for the week beginning October 27, 2009.

APR:

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.494

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.744

HECM LIBOR 275: 2.994

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.244

Expected Rates:

HECM LIBOR 225: 5.83

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.08

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.33

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.58

The HECM LIBOR APR remained almost unchanged for the fifth consecutive week. Meanwhile, the expected rates continued to rise, though they only rose by three hundredths of a point.  One wonders when the APR will finally change, and, when it does, in which direction it will go.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. These rates are effective for the week beginning October 20, 2009.

APR:

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.495

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.745

HECM LIBOR 275: 2.995

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.245

Expected Rates:

HECM LIBOR 225: 5.89

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.05

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.30

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.55

The HECM LIBOR APR remained almost unchanged for the fourth consecutive week.  However, expected rates rose significantly. The expected rates are up .15 this week.  One hopes this is not the beginning of an upward trend. After a short week last week, these rates will be good for a full seven days.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. These rates are effective for the week beginning October 14, 2009.

NOTE: The rates initially published on October 13th were incorrect by 1 thousandth of a point. Please consult the rates below moving forward.

APR:

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.495

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.745

HECM LIBOR 275: 2.995

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.245

Expected Rates:

HECM LIBOR 225: 5.65

HECM LIBOR 250: 5.90

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.15

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.40

The HECM LIBOR APR remained almost unchanged for the third consecutive week.  The expected rate only decreased by one hundredth of a point. Due to the Columbus Day Holiday, these rates will only be in effect from October 14th to October 19th.

Today marks the one week anniversary of the shift to the new HECM roster.  The new roster means that the new requirements for reverse mortgage counselors have gone into effect.  Only counselors that have met these requirements will be permitted to provide HECM counseling. As a result, the number of agencies providing HECM counseling have, for the time being at least, decreased dramatically. Some states, such as Delaware and Hawaii, do not have any local counseling agencies that have met the new requirements and are on the HECM roster.  However, since many counseling agencies provide counseling on a national level by phone, borrowers in these states are unlikely to feel any ill effects.

The list of new counselors can be found at: https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hecm_agency_look.cfm

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. These rates are effective for the week beginning October 6, 2009.

APR:

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.494

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.744

HECM LIBOR 275: 2.994

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.244

Expected Rates:

HECM LIBOR 225: 5.66

HECM LIBOR 250: 5.91

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.16

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.41

While the HECM LIBOR APR remained constant this week, the expected rate declined considerably, dropping two tenths of a point. Borrowers should see savings from such an interest rate decline, and hopefully the low rates will continue.  This is the first full week that the new PLF limits will be in effect.

September’s HECM volume report as published by HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Development) showed that the number of HECMs endorsed increased by about 500 loans from August to September. The number of HECMs endorsed in September was 9,473, while 8,933 HECMs were endorsed in August. However, this number does not reflect the dramatic increase in the number of case numbers assigned the last week in September during the final days of the former PLF limits. As such, the number of HECMs endorsed should rise rapidly in October and November, as they are processed and closed.

In the meantime, the HECM lenders in the top 10 remained unchanged from August. These top 10 lenders are measured by the total number of HECMs endorsed so far this year, explaining why some lenders that have left the reverse mortgage business are still in the top 10.  The list is as follows:

1. Wells Fargo

2. Bank of America

3. World Alliance Financial Corp

4. Financial Freedom

5. One Reverse Mortgage

6. MetLife Bank

7. Countrywide Financial

8. Generation Mortgage

9. Urban Financial Group

10. 1st AAA Reverse Mortgage

It will be very interesting to see if this list changes in the next two months as the number of HECMs endorsed increases dramatically. The complete list for September can be found on the HUD website. The changes will be reflected on the Reverse Mortgage Guides website in the Lender Directory within the next week.

With the principal limit factor decreasing by 10% tomorrow, the number of reverse mortgage case numbers assigned has surged in the last few days. A letter from Peter Bell, President of NRMLA, announced that 60,784 case numbers had been requested in “the last few days.”  That is more than half the number of HECMs endorsed in all of FY 2009.

The good news is that, so far, the system seems to be working. Of the 60,784 case numbers, 58,631 were issued in less than two seconds, and an additional 1,800 were issued in less than 10 seconds. These turnaround times are a good omen for those concerned about the FHA Connection system’s ability to handle the increase in demand. However, with about 12 hours until the deadline, it’s too early to alleviate all concern.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. The rates are effective for the week beginning September 29, 2009.

APR:

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.496

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.746

HECM LIBOR 275: 2.996

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.246

Expected Rates:

HECM LIBOR 225: 5.86

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.11

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.36

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.61

While the HECM LIBOR APR remained constant this week, the expected rate declined slightly. As this is the last week that borrowers will be able to get in under the old Principal Limit Factors (PLF) before the new PLFs go into effect on Thursday, the decline in expected rate is welcome.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. The rates are effective for the week beginning September 22, 2009.

APR:

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.496

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.746

HECM LIBOR 275: 2.996

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.246

Expected Rates:

HECM LIBOR 225: 5.89

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.14

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.39

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.64

The HECM LIBOR rates rose slightly this week for the first time in about a month.  Both the APR and the expected rate went up, though the APR remained nearly the same as the week previously, rising only three one thousandths of a point. The expected rates rose five hundredths of a point.

Meg Burns

The FHA Director of the Office of Single Family Program Development, Meg Burns, started a commotion at the MBA Conference in San Diego last week when she mentioned that the FHA was looking into making some changes to the reverse mortgage product.  Some of the proposed  changes include introducing new products such as the HECM Mini. While the HECM Mini has yet to be officially released, and there are certainly some kinks and details to be worked out, the gist of the product seems to be as follows:

Right now, the HECM is a one-size-fits-all product.  Borrowers are not able to choose how much of the home’s equity they would like to use or how much income they would like to receive from the home.  The HECM Mini would enable a borrower to borrow against smaller amounts of their home equity to obtain the funds they need at a given period of time. The fees for the loan would be lower, so that it might well serve those with 1-3 years remaining in their home.

While no specific numbers were floated for the FHA’s HECM Mini, I have a feeling it may resemble MetLife’s proposed HECM II in fee structure.  This would mean that there would be no upfront mortgage insurance premium, with the mortgage insurance premium instead being paid/assessed annually. The product would also feature lower LTVs than a traditional HECM. MetLife’s HECM II assumes 3% annual appreciation.

Now obviously the HECM II is not the same as the HECM Mini, but again, since no finite details for the HECM Mini have been announced, the HECM II provides a structure for thinking about what the HECM Mini might look like.

The HECM Mini could vastly benefit seniors, enabling them to choose a smaller principal limit if they would like it.  Right now a reverse mortgage is a longer term product, but the idea of seniors being able to borrow against their home as needed with lower fees is one that will likely be agreeable to many seniors. Let’s hope the HECM Mini comes out soon.

Also, if anyone knows anything more about the proposal, please feel free to comment below.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. The rates are effective for the week beginning September 15, 2009.

APR:

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.493

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.743

HECM LIBOR 275: 2.993

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.243

Expected Rates:

HECM LIBOR 225: 5.84

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.09

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.34

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.59

Both the APR and the expected rate for a reverse mortgage remained nearly the same this week. The APR fell .008 points from last week, while the expected rate only fell by one hundredth of a point.

As this week is not a holiday week, rates will return to being effective for a one week duration.

I apologize for the lack of posts over the last few days, but the MBA Reverse Mortgage Conference in San Diego was very time consuming. I hope to make up for it with some interesting tidbits, great pictures, and new guest writers in the weeks to come.  Now for the recap of what I did last week:

Day 1

The conference kicked off with a welcome reception outside at the hotel.  The purple sushi was a highlight (I have never seen purple rice before). So was meeting some of the people at the conference.  The event was a joint event with the MBA’s Document Management and Custody Conference, and it was an added bonus to meet some of its attendees.

Day 2

The conference really began bright and early the next morning. However, those who did wake up on time were treated to a wonderful keynote/state of the industry session.  Meg Burns, Director of the Office of Single Family Program Development for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), provided a lot of particularly insightful information about the FHA’s plans for the reverse mortgage space this coming year. While many of the things FHA is thinking about have been discussed for some time, it was interesting and valuable to hear a lot of the information straight from the FHA.  Expect postings on the HECM Mini and the T&I Set Aside to come soon.

The rest of the day was filled with some other useful sessions (and a very good lunch) before ending with another networking reception in the exhibit hall. Some highlights included the session on REOs, Foreclosures, and Loss Mitigation, which was moderated very skillfully by Neil Morse. One of the most interactive sessions I’ve attended at a conference so far, even some of the more experienced participants learned new information and had misconceptions corrected. The session on Counseling, featuring the heads of MMI and NHCA, was also quite useful, providing a valuable look into the way two of the leading HECM counseling agencies operate.

Day 3

The final day of the conference featured three general sessions, as the crowd progressively thinned as people rushed to the airport to catch their flights. The legislative and regulatory round-up went through each state’s reverse mortgage legislation, as well as a brief overview of some of the federal legislation of particular importance. To answer the much debated question about when co-ops will become eligible for HECMs, the mortgagee letter is expected in October, with implementation expected to take place around January 1. However, the mortgagee letter is expected to set a record for the most amount of pages in a mortgagee letter– meaning that implementing the co-op eligibility may be to cumbersome to have the desired effect. We’ll have to wait and see.

The session on Reverse Mortgage Fraud was interesting in that it showed how easy identity theft can be. While the biometrics proposed by the speaker, C. Robert Simpson, were very cutting-edge and secure, their cost made me doubt that they would ever be able to be widely applied to the reverse mortgage industry. However, I agreed with his idea that the ability to protect your identity using biometrics could be very valuable.

The conference ended with a session on the state of the secondary market. Much of this information was not new, but it was hopeful to see how much the Ginnie Mae pool has grown in the last few months. However, I did not find the session encouraging to those who wanted to get into the reverse mortgage wholesale market.

With the sessions ended and the booths packed up, those who remained headed to catch their flights (or head back to the office).

As a parting note, some pictures from the conference:

Driving downtown from the San Diego airport

The gigantic king-size bed at the hotel

Downtown San Diego as seen from my flight home.

I had a great time at the conference. I can’t wait to go back!  With the MBA Annual Conference in San Diego in mid October and the NRMLA Annual Conference also in San Diego in mid November, there’s no better excuse for a trip.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. The rates are effective for the week beginning September 9, 2009. As the HECM CMT is no longer being offered, we will no longer report its rates.

APR:

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.501

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.751

HECM LIBOR 275: 3.001

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.251

Expected Rates:

HECM LIBOR 225: 5.85

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.10

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.35

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.60

The rates for the HECM Libor fell over a tenth of a point this week, a nice development after two weeks of nearly unchanged results. This week’s rates are only good through September 14, 2009.

The FHA released a final rule today that made the new HECM counseling standards official. The rule goes into effect on October 2, 2009.

Among the new standards, the rule establishes standards for certification testing for HECM counselors and a national Roster of HECM counselors. The final rule establishes that:

1. HECM counselors who have passed the exam by October 2, 2009 will be automatically included in the HECM counselors Roster.

2. HECM counselors who have been removed for the Roster may apply for reinstatement by explaining in writing how the deficiencies that were the cause of their removal have been addressed and how their program has been improved so as to warrant reinstatement of the counselor.

3. To be eligible for the HECM counselor Roster, counselors must not be listed on any of the following lists: General Services Administration’s Suspension and Debarment List, HUD’s Limited Denial of Participation List, or HUD’s Credit Alert Interactive Response System.

4. Counselors have a 30 day period to submit a written appeal of their proposed removal from the Roster.

5. A counselor may be removed for a maximum period of one year.

Counselors will be tested every 3 years to remain on the Roster and must complete continuing education requirements.

The final ruling can be read in its entirety as it appears in the Federal Register. Hopefully the ruling will help improve the HECM counseling process.

UPDATE: The FHA HECM counseling protocols have yet to be released. An update will go out when it is published.  The Final Rule published today only covers the HECM counseling Roster and the standards that accompany it.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. The rates are effective for the week beginning September 1, 2009. The HECM CMT will no longer be offered.

APR:

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.509

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.759

HECM LIBOR 275: 3.009

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.259

Expected Rates:

HECM LIBOR 225: 5.98

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.23

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.48

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.73

The rates for the HECM LIBOR this week remained almost the same as last week, rising by one hundredth of a point. As the HECM CMT will no longer be offered, we will no longer report its rates.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found Bank of America’s HECM Servicing Division to be out of compliance.  The OIG alleged that Bank of America did not comply with two important HUD requirements in its servicing of reverse mortgages. It did not maintain the annual certifications of the borrower’s residency, and it failed to notify HUD in a timely manner when the reverse mortgages became due and payable as a result of the death of the borrower. One reverse mortgage loan file also did not contain an appraisal.

Bank of America  disputes the findings of the OIG. Their main objection appears to be that many of the loans in question were not being serviced by Bank of America when the loan was completed or when the borrower passed away, and rather are files that have since been acquired by Bank of America when Bank of America acquired the Seattle Mortgage Company in April 2007.  The OIG responded that the acquiring servicer is responsible for receiving the complete file from the prior servicer. Another Bank of America objection is that many of the certificates of occupancy could be found through online methods, while the OIG only reviewed the hard copy files. The OIG responded that while there was a written procedure, it did not appear to always be followed, and the occupancy certificates need to be retained.

A complete copy of the report, including Bank of America’s response, can be found below:

OIG Audit Report of Bank of America

HUD announced that a new mortgagee letter will be coming in the next 60 days. The mortgagee letter will likely be about advertising, as HUD is apparently not pleased with advertisements that promote borrowers using the proceeds from a reverse mortgage for a vacation or expensive personal items.

However, reverse mortgage proceeds are for the borrower to spend at their discretion. While HUD has been very suspicious of borrowers using reverse mortgage proceeds for annuities or other insurance products, there is nothing to keep them from doing so.  Further, a recent article actually promoted seniors putting money from a reverse mortgage into life insurance policies so as to be able to pass the money to their heirs tax-free–an interesting way to use a reverse mortgage for estate planning.

Ads in other countries with similar reverse mortgage programs also use advertising focusing on a vacation or luxury item. The philosophy is that the money is the senior’s to use at their discretion.  These are some ways a senior might choose to do so.  As a result, it will be very interesting to see what (if any) guidelines on advertising HUD releases with the next round of mortgagee letters.  While a reverse mortgage is a loan like any other and does need to be taken seriously as a financial investment, one hopes seniors are still free to take out a reverse mortgage– regardless of whether they take it out for something serious (medical expenses, home repairs) or something more luxurious (yacht, vacation, car).

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. The rates are effective for the week beginning August 25, 2009.

APR:

HECM CMT 300: 3.44

HECM CMT 325: 3.69

HECM CMT 350: 3.94

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.516

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.766

HECM LIBOR 275: 3.016

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.266

Expected Rates:

HECM CMT 300: 6.48

HECM CMT 325: 6.73

HECM CMT 350: 6.98

HECM LIBOR 225: 5.97

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.22

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.47

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.72

Rates fell this week for both the HECM CMT and the HECM LIBOR. The expected rate for the HECM LIBOR fell over two tenths of a point. The expected rate for the HECM CMT fell just under two tenths of a point. It is great to see the rates declining at such a dramatic rate again.

Reminder: The HECM CMT will cease to be offered on September 1st.  This is the last week we will list the rates for the HECM CMT.

On Wednesday night, Bank of America officially introduced its new fixed-rate HECM.  The reverse mortgage product, a Fixed HECM 5.56, will be added to Bank of America’s current product offering of the Monthly Libor 225, Monthly Libor 250, Monthly Libor 275, Monthly Libor 300, and the Annual CMT 600. Bank of America also added new disclosures to their application packages. From now on, all application packages for Bank of America loans will include:

- HECM Reverse Mortgage Product Disclosure

- Important Disclosure: Your Payment of Property Charges

- General Questions Regarding HECM Reverse Mortgage Loans

Included in Fixed-Rate Packages Only:

- Truth in Lending Disclosure

- Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA)

The Bank of America fixed rate product has been highly anticipated for some time, and will hopefully help lower the procesing times for fixed rate loans throughout the industry.

More information can be found in the official press release: 2009-8-18-fixed-rate-release

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. The rates are effective for the week beginning August 18, 2009.

APR:

HECM CMT 300: 3.47

HECM CMT 325: 3.72

HECM CMT 350: 3.97

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.523

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.773

HECM LIBOR 275: 3.023

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.273

Expected Rates:

HECM CMT 300: 6.67

HECM CMT 325: 6.92

HECM CMT 350: 7.17

HECM LIBOR 225: 6.20

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.45

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.70

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.95

The APRs and expected rates for both the HECM CMT and the HECM LIBOR declined this week. While rates for the HECM LIBOR have yet to fall to the level they were at earlier this month, the decline in expected rate of five hundredths of a point will still be nice for borrowers.  The rates for the HECM CMT are the same as they were the week of August 4th.

Reminder: The HECM CMT will cease to be offered on September 1st.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. The rates are effective for the week beginning August 11, 2009.

APR:

HECM CMT 300: 3.49

HECM CMT 325: 3.74

HECM CMT 350: 3.99

HECM LIBOR 225: 2.526

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.776

HECM LIBOR 275: 3.026

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.276

Expected Rates:

HECM CMT 300: 6.77

HECM CMT 325: 7.02

HECM CMT 350: 7.27

HECM LIBOR 225: 6.25

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.50

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.75

HECM LIBOR 300: 7.00

While the APR for both the HECM CMT and the HECM LIBOR remained mostly unchanged from last week, the expected rates for the HECM LIBOR and HECM CMT rose again this week. The increase was fairly significant, amounting to a tenth of a point on the HECM CMT and slightly more than a tenth of a point on the HECM LIBOR.

Reminder: The HECM CMT will cease to be offered on September 1st.

HECM volume increased dramatically this month. 9,830 HECMs were endorsed in July, up from 8,633 last month.  This is a good sign if 2009 HECM volume is to surpass the HECM volume in 2008.

The same 9 lenders continued to possess an increased market share despite one of them (World Alliance Financial Corp) going out of buisness last month.  One wonders if the increased number of endorsed HECMs from World Alliance Financial Corp (also known as Senior Lending Network) are a result of them trying to close out their pipeline as fast as possible.  World Alliance Financial Corp rose to the #3 spot this month from number 4 a month ago. It will be interesting to see if they remain in the #3 spot next month.

The top nine lenders are ordered below with rankings determined by the number of HECMs endorsed by the lenders YTD.  Financial Freedom only endorsed 10 HECMs last month, while Countrywide endorsed 8. One Reverse Mortgage surpassed Countrywide this past month in HECMs closed YTD. Countrywide was acquired by Bank of America back in January, and it will be interesting to see if the HECM volume attributed to them continues to decline as well (so far it looks as if it has).

Finally, it is important to note that only nine lenders were highlighted because several lenders, led by 1st AAA Reverse Mortgage Inc. are clustered under Urban Financial. This group has closed between 900 and 960 leads so far this year, but is still well under Urban Financial’s totals.

Top Nine HECM Lenders by Volume – June

1. Wells Fargo

2. Bank of America

3. Financial Freedom

4. World Alliance Financial Corp.

5. Countrywide

6. One Reverse Mortgage

7. MetLife

8. Generation Mortgage

9. Urban Financial

Top Nine HECM Lenders by Volume – July

1. Wells Fargo

2. Bank of America

3. World Alliance Financial Corp.

4. Financial Freedom

5. One Reverse Mortgage

6. Countrywide

7. MetLife

8. Generation Mortgage

9. Urban Financial

The complete lender list can be found here.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. The rates are effective for the week beginning August 4, 2009.

APR:

HECM CMT 300: 3.49

HECM CMT 325: 3.74

HECM CMT 350: 3.99

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.779

HECM LIBOR 275: 3.029

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.279

Expected Rates:

HECM CMT 300: 6.67

HECM CMT 325: 6.92

HECM CMT 350: 7.17

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.39

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.64

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.89

Rates for the HECM LIBOR and HECM CMT rose again this week, though the APR for the LIBOR declined. However, the rate of increase in expected rates was lower this week than it has been in past weeks.

Reminder: The HECM CMT will cease to be offered on September 1st.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. These rates are effective for the week beginning July 28, 2009.

APR:

HECM CMT 300: 3.47

HECM CMT 325: 3.72

HECM CMT 350: 3.97

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.785

HECM LIBOR 275: 3.035

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.285

Expected Rates:

HECM CMT 300: 6.62

HECM CMT 325: 6.87

HECM CMT 350: 7.12

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.31

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.56

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.81

Rates for the HECM LIBOR and HECM CMT rose again this week, though the APRs for both products declined. The expected rate for the HECM LIBOR rose by a tenth of a point this week, while the expected rate for the HECM CMT rose by seven hundredths of a point. One would hope that the rates will stop rising soon.

This week’s reverse mortgage rates are below. These rates are effective for the week beginning July 21, 2009.

APR:

HECM CMT 300: 3.48

HECM CMT 325: 3.73

HECM CMT 350: 3.98

HECM LIBOR 250: 2.786

HECM LIBOR 275: 3.036

HECM LIBOR 300: 3.286

Expected Rates:

HECM CMT 300: 6.55

HECM CMT 325: 6.80

HECM CMT 350: 7.05

HECM LIBOR 250: 6.21

HECM LIBOR 275: 6.46

HECM LIBOR 300: 6.71

Expected rates for the HECM LIBOR and HECM CMT rose dramatically this week, increasing by over a tenth of a point for each. This occured despite the fact that the APR for the LIBOR declined.

The terms surrounding a reverse mortgage can be confusing. Below is the first post in our series of a reverse mortgage glossary. Early posts will focus on terms for beginners, but later posts will become more advanced.  The glossary will then be posted on our website.

Mortgage Terminology Part 1:

Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)- A loan with an interest rate that changes with market conditions on pre-determined dates.

Appraisal- A report that states an opinion on the value of a property based on its characteristics and the selling prices of similar properties or comparable properties in the area.

Appreciation- An increase in the value of a house due to changes in market conditions or other causes.

Closing – The final step after a lender approves an application. The occasion when a borrower signs loan documents, including the mortgage or deed of trust, and when closing costs are paid. Also referred to as “settlement.”

CMT – Constant Maturity Treasury – Also often known as a “treasury bill” or “T-Bill,” it helps set the interest rate for some adjustable rate mortgages.

Deed of Trust- The legal document encumbering title to a property.

Equity- The portion of the value of the property that exceeds the current amount of your home loan. If, for example, the property is worth $100,000 and the loan is for $75,000, then there is $25,000 (25% equity) remaining in your home.

Fixed-Rate Mortgage – A loan with a pre-determined interest rate that is agreed upon for the term of the loan.

HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage) – The most common type of FHA insured mortgage. HECMs encompass 100% of reverse mortgage transactions in 2009, and 99% in 2008.

HELOC (Home Equity Conversion Loan) – a loan sometimes mistakenly considered similar to a reverse mortgage.