Consumer lending

As an improving job market aided financial stability for borrowers, 2020 ended with drops in delinquent home loans, a CoreLogic report found.

Deals, trends and research in structured finance and asset-backed securities for the week of Feb. 26-March 4

In the midst of the pandemic recession, banks have benefited from government stimulus payments to consumers, low interest rates and constraints on the supply of new vehicles. But intensifying competition and real concerns about borrowers’ ability to pay loans that went into forbearance could soon threaten profits and credit quality.

DBRS Morningstar and S&P Global Ratings each have lower projected net losses for the $1.1 billion Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust 2021-1 transaction, in comparison to the subprime auto lender’s prior $1.4 billion securitization that priced in October 2020.

Rohit Chopra, President Biden’s nominee to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has not minced words in calling out private companies for wrongdoing. He could get a grilling from Banking Committee Republicans and some opposition on the Senate floor.

As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau slowed its pursuit of bad actors, state attorneys general vowed to pick up the slack. Here’s why they fell short — and why they are poised to get aggressive again.

Servicers could be dealing with approximately 1.8 million distressed properties when the latest forbearance extension ends in June, Black Knight said.

The extension rates were the highest since the peak of lender deferrals granted in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Last month, prominent investor Steve Eisman pegged Credit Acceptance Corp. as his new big short, based on a belief the subprime auto lender and its industry may come under closer CFPB scrutiny under the new administration. Analysts are taking note, as well.

Acting Director Dave Uejio said Tuesday that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will push back implementation of the qualified mortgage rule and may amend or revoke other Trump-era rules that have yet to take effect.