Under pressure by Massachusetts prosecutors, Bank of America Corp. said Wednesday it could reduce mortgage-loan balances just as much as 30% for thousands of troubled borrowers, as to what could presage a wider government effort to encourage banks to supply debt reduction to relieve the mortgage crisis.
The master plan is one of the boldest moves yet to handle the plight of an incredible number of U.S. greenies who are "under water," owing read more about their homes than they're worth. It may make it easier for the National government to move in the similar direction having its existing loan-modification program, although senior government officials and lots of bankers remain very cautious with offering to reduce loan balances since the main means of helping distressed borrowers.
Up to now, most modifications, including those beneath the government-subsidized Home Affordable Modification Program, involve reducing interest levels. Some also extend terms to Forty years, to shrink monthly premiums.
But banks find that some borrowers aren't ready to keep making even reduced payments, believing they've got little hope of ever having equity inside their homes and might need to be renting, and possibly buying a less-expensive home later.
Severely under-water homeowners are not wanting to accept a solution that will not offer some lowering of principal," said Barbara Desoer, president of Bank of America Home Loans. "The whole intent behind the program is to find more customers to go back phone calls" to make payments for trial modifications so workouts can be produced permanent, she added.
The National government is discussing with banks the way to adjust its existing loan-modification program to encourage forgiveness of principal, people knowledgeable about the matter say. The state declined to talk about such efforts but said the administration was encouraged by Bank of America's initiative, calling it "consistent with your own housing policy principles."
Howard Glaser, a housing-industry consultant, said, "The undeniable fact that private institutions are transferring this direction can make it more palatable for the National government to face criticism from homeowners who think there's unfairness" in cutting principal for just one or two people.