Not a Normal Mortgage Crisis: How the Mortgage Industry Weathered the Pandemic
The due diligence of an asset purchase is quite often given less priority and attention than it should (read: must) warrant. An asset purchase transaction is often quite complex financially and legally. The buyer agrees to...more
On August 29, the CFPB issued a consent order against a non-bank direct mortgage lender for misrepresenting the cost of its cash-out refinance loans, which are guaranteed under the VA home loan program, to active-duty...more
Portability isn’t a typical feature of loan documents, but in a market where refinancing remains expensive and at times tricky, stakeholders are exploring how portability terms can help maintain M&A activity - Given that...more
Leveraged loan activity in the US and Europe sprang back to life in H1 2024, with both markets enjoying near-triple-digit increases in issuance. In the US, overall issuance surged 95.7% from US$461 billion in H1 2023 to...more
A number of factors have combined to cause an almost “perfect storm” for commercial real estate distress. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in remote and hybrid work, increasing vacancy rates and decreasing property values....more
This CLE course will examine some of the more common pitfalls in loan restructurings that are frequently unidentified or ignored until they appear at or after closing. The panel discussion will include agency resignations,...more
As previously reported, in November 2022 the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a proposal to update its rules for interest rate reduction refinancing loans (often referred to as “IRRRLs”) to conform with VA loan...more
European leveraged finance in 2023 was saddled with the negative effects of elevated interest rates. But as the market adjusts to the “new normal”, rate and price stability offer hope for a brighter 2024. -Rising interest...more
On December 18, the CFPB posted a blog entry regarding cash-out refinance mortgages and their borrowers between 2013 to 2023. According to the entry, which noted reflects the authors’ views, and not those of the CFPB,...more
The CFPB recently released results of a study of residential mortgage refinance loans from the first quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2023, focusing on differences between cash-out and non-cash-out (or rate and term)...more
High yield bond activity rallies in the US as borrowers pivot away from pricier leveraged loans, but European and Asian markets remain challenged US high yield bond activity sparked back to life in H1 2023 as improved...more
It’s been the summer of the pop star—with nonstop news of Taylor Swift and Beyonce selling out stadium after stadium. Don’t let it “break your soul” as you’re “shaking off” summer and sending the kids back to school. We hope...more
Second Circuit upholds SDNY’s finding that under Reves syndicated loans are not securities under federal law. Introduction - On August 24, 2023, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued its highly...more
Summary - The threshold for indemnity deed of trust (IDOT) recordation tax deferral in Maryland increased from $3,000,000 to $12,500,000, effective July 1, 2024. This is welcome news for commercial real estate owners and...more
The U.S. commercial real estate market, valued at $20 trillion in 2021 by some estimates, touches nearly every facet of urban and suburban dwellers’ lives – from where they live (multi-family housing or apartment buildings)...more
“Call protection” (which you may also hear referred to variously as a “prepayment fee”, “prepayment premium”, “call premium”, “prepayment penalty”, “non‑call”, “hard call”, “soft call” or “make‑whole”) is a core economic term...more
Increased volatility and reductions in asset values in the equity markets, coupled with rising interest rates and a slowing macroeconomic environment, have affected a wide range of equity-linked products. Continuation of...more
Real estate sector headwinds stifled high yield markets in the Asia-Pacific region, but loan issuance went from strength to strength to post double-digit gains - Debt markets in the Asia-Pacific region (excl. Japan) (APAC)...more
Large double-digit gains in US loan issuance meant leveraged finance markets ended 2021 with a bang and set the stage for robust activity in 2022- The US leveraged finance market posted strong year-on-year gains in 2021 as...more
Debt markets warm to issuers from a broader range of sectors, maintaining high levels of refinancing activity - The surge in refinancing activity across leveraged loan and high yield bond markets through H1 2021 looks set...more
On April 21, 2021, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will extend certain loan origination flexibilities, including alternative appraisals on purchase and rate-term refinance...more
The financial markets are hoping collateralized loan obligations can strike back in 2021 after the menace of 2020. Our CLO team examines various mechanisms for adjusting CLO funding costs and deal terms....more
In the News. On the heels of a lawsuit challenging the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) recently issued Madden fix/valid when made rule, eight state attorneys general filed suit challenging a similar rule...more
With the likely increased borrowings or refinancing of debt as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, multinational companies should consider the impact of changes in U.S. tax law made in 2018. As a result of these changes, U.S....more
In many divorces, the marital home is one of the most valuable assets of the parties. There are three general possibilities in what to do with the marital home in a divorce...more