The notion of widespread principal reduction for underwater borrowers has gained new currency since the beginning of the year. In addition to articles in the popular financial press, the Federal Reserve's recent white paper on housing devoted a section to discussing the concept of "Loan Modifications with Principal Reduction." Nonetheless, the concept of aiding middle-class homeowners through principal reduction is politically tempting, and political pressure to "do something" (evidenced by another mass refinancing plan proposed in President Obama's State of the Union address) is intensifying. However, the experience of HAMP and other initiatives suggests that a broad program to reduce the loan balances of underwater borrowers held or guaranteed by the GSEs would be extremely expensive, ultimately ineffective and potentially counterproductive.

Five years after the financial crisis, the first wave of lawsuits filed by investors seeking to recover losses on MBS is still slogging its way through the courts, and, for many, the clock is ticking. The bulk of cases to date were brought under federal securities law; most were filed in 2007 and 2008 and face a two-part statute of limitations: one year from discovery and three years from the date of issuance of the securities.

There were 5,119 registrants at ASF 2012 - an impressive show of strength considering the issuance tally for certain market segments. But let's not forget: there've been only four Jumbo RMBS in the last three years.

In January, Fitch Ratings put out a report that highlighted ratings volatility in securitizations that are retained by European originators, primarily to use as collateral for funding with the European Central Bank (ECB).

In his Jan. 24 State of the Union address, President Obama stated that he was sending to Congress a plan that gives responsible homeowners the chance to refinance into historically low rates. He said that through this prospective program, homeowners can save roughly $3,000 per year on their mortgage.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau still has to make a key decision before it can finalize a regulation that will determine what kind of loans -- and features -- mortgage bankers can offer consumers without facing potential legal liability of up to $100,000 per unit.

The national vacancy rate for single-family homes fell in 2011 as foreclosures slowed and sales of empty units increased by 14% over the past four quarters, according to new government figures released Tuesday morning.

The banking regulators reissued guidance on Tuesday that requires institutions to monitor all credit quality indicators for mortgage borrowers, specifically citing junior liens as a potential problem.

Ally Financial disclosed Tuesday that it will incur a $270 million charge in the fourth quarter – and an overall loss for the entire firm – due to what it calls “penalties” imposed by regulators and the states tied to “foreclosure related matters.”

Hogan Lovells has expanded its New York finance practice by adding Peter Humphreys and Evan Koster.

DZ Bank sued JPMorgan Chase yesterday in the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, according to a Bloomberg report.

Philadelphia-based financial services firm Janney Montgomery Scott has expanded its capital markets group with new hires and plans to open an office in Dallas.