Author Archives: Isaac Gradman

SEC Demands More Disclosure From JP Morgan on Repurchase Liabilities

By Manal Mehta, Guest Blogger The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently took a much needed step towards improving the transparency of bank balance sheets, particularly when it comes to the adequacy of reserves for mortgage repurchase obligations stemming from … Continue reading

Posted in balance sheets, BofA, Citigroup, Countrywide, Federal Home Loan Banks, guest posts, investors, JPMorgan, lawsuits, litigation, mortgage insurers, repurchase, reserve reporting, SEC | 1 Comment

Investor Syndicate At Hundreds of Billions And Growing

Heard on this Street this week: the super-secret Syndicate of MBS Investors discussed previously is gaining momentum.  A confidential source has informed me that some of the largest institutional investors in mortgage-backed securities have now joined the group, bringing the amount … Continue reading

Posted in Countrywide, firing servicers, Investor Syndicate, investors, irresponsible lending, litigation, loan files, MBS, repurchase, servicers | 2 Comments

BofA and Countrywide Appeal Order Allowing MBIA Vicarious Liability Claim To Proceed

In a move that could have dramatic consequences for the financial stability of Bank of America (BofA), a New York state court judge has held that monoline bond insurer MBIA can go forward with claims that BofA be held vicariously … Continue reading

Posted in Attorneys General, BofA, bondholder actions, Countrywide, Greenwich Financial Services, loan files, merger, mortgage insurers, predatory lending, settlements, successor liability, vicarious liability, William Frey | 10 Comments

Federal Short Sale Programs Will Face Same Shortcoming As Workouts: Too Much Carrot, Not Enough Stick

With government-backed loan modification programs showing abysmal results, Washington has turned to short sales as the flavor of the week to ameliorate the foreclosure crisis.  Pursuant to the Treasury Department’s Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) initiative, effective April 5, loan … Continue reading

Posted in allocation of loss, California Lawyer, conflicts of interest, foreclosure rate, HAFA, incentives, loan modifications, servicers, short-selling, Treasury | 1 Comment

Class Action Lawsuit Against Goldman Over ABACUS CDO Signals Time Is Right For Investor Lawsuits

The legal news is not good if you are a lender or investment bank who participated in the creation of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and other derivatives over the last few years.  But for investors who lost their shirts through their … Continue reading

Posted in abacus, Countrywide, derivative lawsuits, Goldman Sachs, investors, litigation, MBS, SEC, securities, securities fraud, shareholder lawsuits | 3 Comments