Bridging the Gap A Dialogue on Select Issues in Audits and Scorecards ALFN ANSWERS 2015 Introduction • Purpose of Panel to inspire dialogue surrounding one of the more controversial topics in our industry. • In asking questions of our panelists, please avoid client or attorney firm specific scenarios. • This panel is meant to provide a Bird’s Eye view. Questions for the Panelists? You can submit them by: • Texting 66363 and your question to 22333 • Ask questions or make comments verbally by using the microphones provided in the session room Anne Beck Anne Beck is Vice President of Servicing Risk Oversight at Caliber Home Loans, Inc. where she oversees Attorney Oversight, Quality Assurance, and Breach. She joined Caliber in 2011 as AVP of Asset Performance, monitoring foreclosure and REO. She also served as Vice President of REO Operations. Prior to joining Caliber, Anne was with JP Morgan Chase as well as EMC Mortgage. Jan Duke Jan Duke is the president of and lead consultant at Firm Solutions. In this capacity, she provides strategic leadership for the company and utilizes her extensive industry experience to create customized solutions to resolve operational challenges for clients. Her primary focuses are audit/compliance consulting, business-process improvement consulting, business-development efforts, and operational leadership guidance. Jan began her career in the consumer packaged goods industries and later moved to the legal field where she has held senior leadership positions in human resources, information technology, support services, operations management, and compliance. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, she is able to leverage her knowledge to assist client firms in meeting their performance and fiscal objectives. Corey Danzig COREY DANZIG is Chief Compliance Counsel for Ohio-based default services law firm, Felty & Lembright. Danzig originally joined the Firm as an Associate in Felty & Lembright’s foreclosure practice, handling foreclosure and real estate title matters throughout Ohio's 88 counties. In her current role, Danzig’s responsibilities include coordinating the Firm's compliance with all Federal and State laws, managing the Firm's relationships with its vendors, and handling the Firm’s clients’ due diligence and audit requests. Corey's experience also includes bankruptcy law and commercial and construction litigation. Corey received her undergraduate degree from Boston University and her J.D. from Cleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Danzig can be reached at cdanzig@ feltyandlembright.com Lindsey Purdy Lindsey Purdy graduated from the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service and Mandarin Chinese. She graduated from Drake University Law School in 2013 when she joined the firm of Klatt, Augustine, Sayer, Treinen, and Rastede, P.C. Purdy’s areas of practice include residential foreclosure, commercial foreclosure and deficiency pursuit, federal compliance, and litigation. In 2014, Purdy worked with a select ALFN committee, drafting the Organization’s comment on Proposed Regulation F. She has been published on the CFPB and the upcoming debt collection regulations and was a recipient of the 2014“Picture the Future” award. She is currently co-chair of the DSPG and an active member of the JPEG and COMPG practice groups. Purdy also has presented on ethics and professionalism in the legal profession. A Servicer’s Perspective: Anne Beck Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Why Scorecard? ■ Regulatory Requirements o CFPB o OCC o Attorney General o State Examiners ■ Investor Requirements ■ Trustee Requirements ■ Performance Management o Timeline o Best Practices o Quality o Responsiveness ■ Financial Risk CFPB • • • • • • • • Servicer Standards • • • • Best Practices SLA’s Procedures Responsiveness RESPA TILA FDCPA HPA ECOA FRAUD SCRA FCRA GSE, Gov’t, NY Agreement • • • • • Notice Requirements FCL Timelines Allowable fees Processing SLA’s Reporting Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 PAGE: 10 Scorecards What Makes a Good Scorecard SCORECARD A scorecard should provide firms with valuable performance feedback to assists in improving overall performance. Scorecards should be: • Consistent • Specific • Measurable and; • Align with Servicers Business Objectives How Are We Doing? Scorecards • • – – – – – – – • Servicer Challenges KPI Challenges What is the timeline and how to calculate GSE Allowable Is it realistic What is included and removed Not all firms using holds correctly How do you account for prior servicer delays and hold firms accountable System constraints Some firms send us scorecards – should we incorporate Quality Reviews – Timeliness of document revisions – Documents not in system – Lack of response • Fees and Costs – Failure to review rejected and adjusted invoices Causing late submissions • No one wants to be #2 Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Know Your Servicer Focus On What Matters Most Learn what’s most important to your servicer Know to which goal you are being measured Know what holds you are allowed to use and use them Provide contact information and update regularly Never miss responding to an alert If you are scoring poorly in a metric – figure out why Hold calls with servicer and firm line level staff not just management Understand the technology – not just the flaws Pick up the phone and call Will It Ever Be Possible? To standardize scorecard methodology or have an onsite exam shared by multiple servicers? Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Jan Duke Be Pro-Active and Prepared for New Client Due Diligence Requests and Existing Client Audit Inquiries • GSE Firm Requirements/Supporting Documentation • Reporting Capabilities • Capacity Planning/Model • Organized Storage and Dissemination Process -Alerts -Policies and Procedures -Audit documents and responses Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 BE PREPARED TO PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD WHEN RESPONDING TO NEW CLIENT DUE DILIGENCE REQUESTS AND/OR EXISTING CLIENT AUDIT INQUIRIES The basis of most due diligence requests as well as the oversight initiatives from existing servicers is based on the foundational GSE requirements in addition to subsequent CFPB requirements. Having a “package” of the relevant supporting documents organized and ready to submit will help ensure your firm can respond quickly and with comprehensive and concise information. The following guide contains suggested supporting documents/data Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 GSE REQUIREMENTS GUIDE # Requirement Supporting Documentation 1 Firm’s practice areas must include end-to-end default related and REO related legal services 2 Firm must have a stated office located in the jurisdiction for which it is retained Firm must provide two jurisdiction specific industry references Firm must have the ability to handle default-related and REO- related legal matters throughout the jurisdiction Attorney Bios and Firm History – outlining years of experience in industry as well as # of years FNMA designated counsel. Loss Mitigation statistics Mediation statistics if applicable Title Curative statistics List of memberships/affiliations Office location list 3 4 5 6 Client authorized references Third Party Vendor Management Process and Procedures Evaluation & Onboarding Confidentiality Agreement including newly required language -Breach notification requirement -Term for violation Contracts including newly required language -Right to audit SLA’s Proof of insurance/licensing Reputation check Oversight program Offboarding Outside Counsel Reliance Statistics/Report Firm must have completed a sufficient volume of default Reports indicating incoming volume as well as closed cases for FC, BK, REO for 24 month related and REO related legal services to demonstrate its period experience Firms partners must have adequate, relevant, overall List of partner/managing attorneys with # of years admitted to practice law + years of jurisdiction specific experience (one or more experience with firm partner/mgng attorney with 8-10 yrs exp) GSE REQUIREMENTS GUIDE # Requirement Supporting Documentation 7 Firm must have one or more lead attorney(s) for Fannie Mae matters with adequate, relevant litigation experience in the jurisdiction (5 yrs) Firms attorneys must be licensed and in good standing in the jurisdiction in which the firm will be retained Firm’s non attorney staff must have reasonable experience Firm must have appropriate attorney-to-staff ratio to ensure appropriate staff oversight Same as above 8 9 10 11 12 List of all attorneys and their Bar numbers/date of Admittance; statement indicating all are in good standing Report of average tenure of non-attorney staff; report indicating non-attorneys with related certifications Metrics illustrating attorney to staff ratio Documentation of processes (process mapping) including escalation points; attorney touch points; exception reporting and quality control checkpoints. Firm must have appropriate attorney-to-file and staff-to- file ratios to ensure appropriate oversight Firm must have ability to grow and contract based on market conditions Metrics illustrating attorney/staff to file ratio (total active files divided by attorneys) Documentation of processes (process mapping) including escalation points; attorney touch points; exception reporting and quality control checkpoints. Documented Capacity Planning Model and Process supported by following data: o monitoring of incoming referral trends o file attrition data o employee attrition data o incoming mail & matters o outgoing pleadings & packages o exception reports o timeline management reports Draft a staffing policy regarding use of outsourcing and/or contingent workforce as well as process regarding implementation of RIF and/or VSP for contraction GSE REQUIREMENTS GUIDE # Requirement Supporting Documentation 13 Firm must demonstrate high professional standards 14 Firm must be able to track, monitor and complete matters within defined timelines o o o o o Report of bar complaints/status Report of firm litigation Statement regarding good standing with FNMA/FHLMC Reports from case management system outlining target timeframes; compliance with targets; exceptions to targets Pipeline Performance Productivity Exception Analysis 15 Firm must have ability to report key data to Fannie Mae 16 Firm must have ability to report diversity data Process flow indicating ability to export all key data elements on regular basis to FNMA (automation capabilities for DMRS) EEO-1 report from HR system 17 Firm must have adequate technology Documented overview of technology applications and systems in place 18 Firm must have adequate technical support IT org chart 19 Firm must have an appropriate amount of E&O coverage E&O declaration page 20 Firm must have adequate financial resources Financial statements as submitted currently to servicers 21 Firm must have business continuity and/or disaster recovery plans in place Business Continuity Plan Testing of BCP Succession Plan GSE REQUIREMENTS GUIDE # Requirement Supporting Documentation 22 Firm must have adequate quality control, supervision of staff and review of documents 23 Firm must provided adequate employee training 24 Firm must have adequate controls over information security, data management and fraud prevention 25 No substantial part of the law firm’s practice may include matters that are adverse to financial institutions, including Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Servicer must disclose to Fannie Mae any relationships between the servicer and the firm and any relationships between the firm and any outsourcing company utilized by the servicer Firm must disclose any interest in providers of related services Firm must adhere to FNMA guidelines regarding outsourcing fees, referral fees, technology and electronic invoice fees, and vendor selection 26 27 28 Knowledge database in secure format with versioning control and key word search capabilities (i.e. Sharepoint) Notarization Policy/Procedure Code of Conduct (includes document execution as well as avenue for employees to raise concerns) Overview of Quality Control practices in place Training/Onboarding Process Flow Documented Attorney Expectation/Guidelines Attorney Training Checklist Standardized Learning Plans with testing and reporting capabilities ISO type standard information security policies Security Training Hiring/Screening Process Termination Process Code of Conduct & related Training Conflicts Check Policy Attestation Attestation Attestation Best Practices Guide to Quality Reporting The ability to report accurate information to your clients is critical from an attorney oversight and compliance perspective. It is also a necessary component to a well-managed practice. The below bullet points contain suggested report “types” to ensure you meet those two objectives: Pipeline Reporting: Increasing traceability to report on portfolio statistics allowing the firm to report accurately on their pipeline to manage staffing levels and identify trending. (Total files within stage and carved out by client/loan type/status) Workflow Reports: Reducing time by creating manual work lists and delivering physical files throughout the firm. (i.e. Petitions to be prepared, Upcoming Sales, etc.) Billing Reports: Capturing milestone events completed in the case management system in a snapshot report so all billing could be centralized throughout the firm. Exception Reports: Mitigating risk by identifying issues with files so they can be escalated and assigned as needed. (i.e. title ordered/not received, service complete/sale not scheduled, referral received/pending original note). Aging Reports: Uncovering information by comparing target dates against incomplete tasks. (i.e. Service not complete within 30 days, Title not reviewed within 10 days, etc. Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Capacity Planning Model Sample Capacity Model Triggers: • At each trigger event, senior management meets and reviews the currently staffing levels. Depending on either new demands of the industry, an increase of work driven by referrals, or in contractions of work assessment is made with our technology capabilities and staffing levels. We take into account our current technology, cross training with employees and levels of staffing and adjust accordingly. Trigger events: • Judicial changes: Changes in the court system can account for increase in workload due to new guidelines, rules and orders. Each new Order issued by the court is reviewed by the senior management team to gauge the impact on the firm and if the current staffing and technological means is capable of handling an additional change. • Investor changes: Changes from our clients and the investor are reviewed to see if additional work is needed in order to meet new guidelines and or regulation. Each regulation/guideline is reviewed in order to predict the impact on current workloads and staffing levels. • Volume: Work volume (new referrals) to the firm, directly impacts each stage of the foreclosure. Volume is reviewed monthly and compared to capacity plan by Senior Management, please see attached. Based on all current industry factors the ideal maximum case volume are as follows: Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Table 1: File Volume (Pipeline) Line of Business Foreclosure Bankruptcy Eviction REO MAX (per month) CURRENT (per month) Percentage of capacity used (current, monthly rolling) Low Capacity Trigger (percent, 3 consecutive month average) High Capacity Trigger (percent, 3 consecutive month average) Table 2: File Volume (New Referrals) Line of Business Foreclosure Bankruptcy Eviction REO MAX (per month) CURRENT (per month) Percentage of capacity used (current, monthly rolling) Low Capacity Trigger (percent, 3 consecutive month average) High Capacity Trigger (percent, 3 consecutive month average) Table 3: Foreclosure Specific Employee Matrix Below is the Foreclosure specific staffing model and matrix. In the event a Trigger is reached, that particular position triggered should be evaluated for contraction or hire. Total FTEs Attorneys Non-Attorney Staff Current Allocation Per Employee Maximum Allocation Per Employee (monthly rolling) Low Capacity Trigger High Capacity Trigger Table 4: Bankruptcy Specific Employee Matrix Below is the Bankruptcy specific staffing model and matrix. In the event a Trigger is reached, that particular position triggered should be evaluated for contraction or hire. Total FTEs Attorneys Non-Attorney Staff Current Allocation Per Employee Maximum Allocation Per Employee (monthly rolling) Low Capacity Trigger High Capacity Trigger Table 5: Evictions Specific Employee Matrix Below is the Bankruptcy specific staffing model and matrix. In the event a Trigger is reached, that particular position triggered should be evaluated for contraction or hire. Total FTEs Attorneys Non-Attorney Staff Current Allocation Per Employee Maximum Allocation Per Employee (monthly rolling) Low Capacity Trigger High Capacity Trigger Table 6: Deed in Lieu Specific Employee Matrix Below is the Bankruptcy specific staffing model and matrix. In the event a Trigger is reached, that particular position triggered should be evaluated for contraction or hire. Total FTEs Attorneys Non-Attorney Staff Current Allocation Per Employee Maximum Allocation Per Employee (monthly rolling) Low Capacity Trigger High Capacity Trigger Rebuttal and Response: Corey Danzig *Considering why and how the client made a particular Finding will assist in interpreting audit results and formulating a rebuttal, response or corrective action plan.* 1. Regulator and Investor Guidance and Mandates for Managing Third Party Risk 2. Client’s Scorecards and Loan Level Audits 3. Client’s Notices of Complaints or Findings 4. Consumer Complaints 5. Government or Investor Investigations, Enforcement Actions, and Lawsuits Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 1. Government regulators require entities to conduct due diligence reviews and continually oversee vendors. *This typically occurs through conducted via assessments, questionnaires, and on-sight visits. *Due Diligence and ongoing monitoring required by Regulators as follows: a. Evaluate operational, compliance, reputation, strategic, legal, transaction, credit risk, other risks Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): Financial Institution Letter-44-2008: Guidance for Managing Third Party Risk (dated June 6, 2008) Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC): Bulletin 2013-29: Third-Party Relationships: Risk Management Guidance (dated October 30, 2013) Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System: Guidance on Managing Outsourcing Risk (dated December 5, 2013) b. Federal consumer financial laws Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): Bulletin 2012-03: Service Providers (dated April 13, 2012) Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 REGULATOR AND INVESTOR GUIDANCE AND MANDATES FOR MANAGING THIRD PARTY RISK c. Safeguarding customer information Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Safeguards Rule implementing The GrammLeach-Blilely Act: As part of a financial institution’s information security program, it must oversee service providers by “[t]aking reasonable steps to select and retain service providers that are capable of maintaining appropriate safeguards for the customer information at issue….” (12 CFR §314.4(d)) 2. Firm Selection and Continued Monitoring: Government-Sponsored Entities also require loan servicers to conduct due diligence in selecting and monitoring firms. a. GSEs require servicers to review law firms on approximately 28 topics. Chapter 69 of the Freddie Mac Regulations: Selection, Retention and Management of Law Firms for Freddie Mac Default Legal Matters Exhibit F-2-05 of Fannie Mae’s Servicing Guide: “Firm Minimum Requirements” b. Among the 28 categories are specifics involving: Firm background; operations; experience; capacity; volume; finances; insurance; licensing; file; staff; and vendor oversight; technology; information privacy (“controls meeting or exceeding industry standards, including as applicable, standards promulgated by the International Office for Standardization or National Institute for Standards and Technology”). Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Second, what should be considered in developing the response or rebuttal to the Finding? *Two questions to consider:* 1.Can you refute the Finding with substantiating documents? 2. Do you need to provide written corrective action plan remediating the Finding and/or cause of the Finding on a go-forward basis? 33 Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 FIRST, CAN FINDING DOCUMENTATION? YOU REFUTE THE SUBSTANTIATING WITH 1.Documentation (importance of “papering your file” during the pendency of the case) and 2. Summary and timeline of events as part of your answer. 34 Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 SECOND, DO YOU NEED TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN REMEDIATING THE FINDING BASIS? AND/OR ITS CAUSE ON A GO-FORWARD 1. Engage firm management and/or other necessary internal or external stakeholders (vendors) to: a. Review the Finding and determine what caused the Finding. b. Determine whether the Finding and/or its cause can be remediated. c. Develop and implement solutions to the Finding and/or its cause (see below). 2. Analyze the Finding and its underlying cause. 3. Develop and implement solutions remediating the Finding and preventing its cause from occurring again: what resources can be used? 4. Putting it all together: drafting the corrective action plan. 35 Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Develop and implement solutions remediating the Finding and preventing its cause from occurring again: what resources can be used? a.Does your firm use a systematic approach to create or improve your operations? b.Consider client and investor requirements and expectations. c. Consider applicable laws, regulations, industry standards, and Federal enforcement actions/consent orders (See Appendix for Examples). 36 Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Develop and implement solutions remediating the Finding and preventing its cause from occurring again: what resources can be used? d. How can your case management system be modified or customized to remediate the Finding’s cause? Will it have controls in place to ensure that the Finding’s cause will be prevented going forward? e. Draft, present, and implement written internal policies and procedures or guides to prevent the cause of the Finding. f. Provide supplemental and ongoing staff training on the new policies and procedures. 37 Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Develop and implement solutions remediating the Finding and preventing its cause from occurring again: what resources can be used? g. Quality Control: Develop worksheets or checklists to ensure staff follows the newly developed policies and procedures. h. Cold Review of “post-mortem” files by staff who have not worked on the file or by employees solely dedicated to reviewing files. i. Quality Assurance: Regular review of quality control and cold review results, applicable law, client requirements to keep policies and procedures up to 38 date. Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Putting it all together: Tips for drafting the corrective action plan. a. Ask for clarification. b. Tone and content of the written materials: Methodically and clearly defined steps demonstrating how the Finding can be corrected and/or prevented on a go-forward basis, explaining and providing: 1. How your business improvement process will cure the Finding and prevent it from happening again. 2. How your case management system will be modified or customized 39 Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Putting it all together: Tips for drafting the corrective action plan. b. Tone and content of the written materials 3. Policies and procedures that have been created or revised 4. Staff and/or vendor training 5. Quality Control: How will files and staff be reviewed to ensure the policies and procedures are being followed? 6. Quality Assurance: How will you review your policies and procedures to ensure similar Findings will not occur? c. Be realistic with implementation dates. d. Ensure the plan is satisfactory to the firm, stakeholders, and management. 40 Putting it all together: Tips for drafting the corrective action plan. e. Remember the perspective of the client or client’s third party auditor. f. Stick to your plan. 41 Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Appendix: Applicable laws, regulations, industry standards, and Federal enforcement actions /consent orders 1. Examples of applicable federal debt collection laws and regulation Protecting Confidential Information: The Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 68016809) Corresponding FTC Regulations implementing the Safeguards Rule (12 CFT Part 314) Interagency Guidelines Establishing Information Security Standards (12 CFT Part 30 Appendix: Addresses standards for administrative, technical and physical safeguards for protecting customer information CFPB’s Regulation P on limits of disclosure (12 CFT §§ 1016.10-106.12) State law Real Estate Settlement Practices Act Real Estate Settlement Practices Act (12 U.S.C §§2601 et seq.) & Corresponding CFPB’s Regulation X (12 CFR Part 1024) Truth in Lending Act: (15 U.S.C §§1601 et seq.) and Regulation Z (12 CFR 1026) Federal Debt Consumer Practices Act (15 USC §§ 1692-1692p) Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts of Practices (12 USC §§ 5531-5538) Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 USC §§ 1691 et seq.) and Regulation B (12 CFR Part 1002) Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 USC §§ 601 et seq.) and Regulation V (12 CFT Part 222) Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 USC App. §§ 501 et seq.) 42 Bankruptcy Stay and Relief (11 USC § 362) Appendix: (cont’d) **CFPB Publications: CFPB Supervision and Examination Manual (http://www.consumerfinance.gov/guidance/supervision/manual/) and Small Entity Compliance Guides (http://www.consumerfinance.gov/regulatory-implementation/title-xiv/) **See OCC’s operating standards for scheduled foreclosure sales (specifically states it does not incorporating RESPA and TILA): http://www.occ.gov/topics/consumerprotection/foreclosure-prevention/foreclosure_standards_42013.pdf 2. Examples of cited industry standards and guidance from regulators International Standard for Organization (ISO) 27001 and 27002: Criteria for Policies and Procedures for Management Systems and Controls Service Organization Controls’ “SOC 2”: Reporting on Controls at a Service Organization Relevant to Security, Availability, Processing, Confidentiality or Privacy Shared Assessments Program: Offers standardized vendor risk assurance approach for financial institutions “Standard Information Gathering” Questionnaire (SIG) regarding IT, privacy, and data security controls and “Agreed Upon Procedures” (AUG): regarding how to validate answers and financial institution should assess risk controls as part of an onsite assessment of its vendors https://sharedassessments.org/ 43 Appendix: (cont’d) 3. Recent Enforcement actions and consent orders FTC et al. v. Green Tree Servicing, LLC, 15-CV-02064 (U.S. District Court of Minnesota 2015) CFPB Administrative Proceeding: In RE Flagstar Bank, File No. 2014-CFPB-0014 (Consent Order) CFPB Administrative Proceeding: In RE JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., File No. 2013CFPB-0007 (Consent Order) 44 Questions for the panelists? Text 66363 and your question to 22333 Questions?
© Copyright 2026 Paperzz