House Passes Bill to Protect Borrowers

A bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on May 7 requires mortgage lenders to take borrowers' repayment ability into account. It also makes it possible for borrowers to take legal action against entities that pool mortgages and sell them as securities on the secondary market.

The bill also will force lenders to retain a 5 percent interest in mortgages other than standard 30-year fixed and adjustable-rate loans. However, adjustable-rate mortgages that carry prepayment penalties or fees greater than 2 percent do not qualify for the exemption.

Source: Washington Post, Dina ElBoghdady (05/08/09)