By Allen Moss, VP, Regional Business Development
One of the most valuable aspects of obtaining a blanket policy to protect collateral portfolios is its potential to boost internal efficiencies for community lenders. But in an economic climate that increasingly places emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness, blanket insurance concepts may also help lenders reduce their impact on the environment as well.
The Mortgage Bankers Association estimated 2.7 million homeowners are currently in some form of forbearance, and for almost four months now, lender forbearance portfolio volume has hovered between 5% and 6% — since the MBA survey began in May. Managing all those forbearances has put a tremendous amount of work on mortgage servicers as some companies have had to hire hundreds of employees to carry out more customer support, putting a heavy emphasis on avoiding foreclosure.
There are many adjectives I have heard to describe 2020. Some of these may be considered R-rated so I am reluctant to repeat them here! However, some of the G-rated adjectives are wild, busy, unusual, odd, strange, and frustrating. One word I have not heard to describe 2020 was uneventful.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on economies globally. Almost daily, there's news of businesses closing down and employees being laid off or facing salary cuts.
Support of their local communities has long been a focus of community lenders. Credit unions and community banks across the country are known for their reinvestment into the towns and cities they serve. Charitable giving can take a variety of forms – many times focused on causes and organizations unique to each area of the country. Especially during these difficult times surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, support of these local organizations and charities is of the utmost importance. This fact has not been lost on credit unions and community banks, and many have stepped-up remarkably in this support during these challenging times.
When 2020 started, we were not aware that phrases like “new normal” and “unprecedented” would become the vernacular of business professionals across America. After a short while, it got to the point where those phrases would be muttered with a semblance of sarcasm at the start of each virtual meeting or phone call. Towards the end of the year, I could feel a sense of hope that 2021 would be a new year, where things would end up going back to the “old normal” in some capacity.
