Mortgage servicers blast HAMP requirements

Mortgage servicers on Thursday told US House lawmakers that consecutive changes to the US Treasury Department’s foreclosure prevention program have made it increasingly difficult to keep distressed borrowers in their homes. Real-estate financial services consultant Edward Pinto described the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) in two words: “numbing complexity.” “At last count, HAMP had 800 requirements and servicers are expected to certify compliance,” he said. “With ever changing regulations, a constant need to re-evaluate past decisions in light of new regulations, and multiple appeals, it is no wonder that the HAMP pipeline became clogged through no substantial fault of servicers.”