Press Release: Reverse Mortgages Show Growth in 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Peter Bell, President, 202-939-1741, pbell@dworbell.com

Darryl Hicks, Vice President, Communications, 202-939-1748, dhicks@dworbell.com

Washington, D.C. – Reverse mortgages continue to be one of the few areas of growth within the mortgage industry. The National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association announced today that the industry has closed 112,100 Home Equity Conversion Mortgages or HECMs in Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, which ended September 30, 2008, surpassing the record loan volume for FY 2007, according to data provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

This current loan volume continues a steady uptrend for the industry each year since 2001. Most recently, loan production has grown from 43,131 in FY 2005 to 76,351 in FY 2006 before climbing to 107,558 in FY 2007. The Homeownership and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 may have dampened growth temporarily as it is likely many prospective borrowers have been waiting for HUD to implement new provisions that among other things will allow borrowers to receive a higher benefit and pay a lower origination fee.

“Reverse mortgages are really one of the only positive stories in financial services this year because they provide a safe, proven solution to many Americans’ retirement funding needs, especially during the current financial crisis,” said Peter Bell, President of National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association. “We expect the growth of reverse mortgages to accelerate as seniors look for additional sources of income and because the new provisions of the Homeownership Act of 2008 broaden the market for reverse mortgages while making them more attractive.”

New Loan Limits
As part of the Homeownership Act of 2008, The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently approved a single national loan limit of $417,000 for federally insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) reverse mortgages. HUD is expecting the loan limit to be effective around November 1st.

The new, higher lending limit will enable borrowers to obtain a greater benefit if their home value is higher than the previous HUD limit. Previously, the HECM program assigned different lending limits by county ranging from $200,160 in rural areas to $362,790 in the highest home value areas.

Similarly, existing borrowers whose home value is greater than the new HUD limit may be able to increase their benefit by refinancing their reverse mortgage and are encouraged to contact their lenders.

HUD is expected to implement the other reverse mortgage provisions from the Homeownership Act in the coming months. For a complete list of provisions, visit www.nrmlaonline.org.

About Reverse Mortgages
A reverse mortgage is a unique loan that enables senior homeowners to convert part of the equity in their homes into tax-free income without having to sell the home, give up title, or take on a new monthly mortgage payment. Reverse mortgages are available to individuals 62 or older who own their home. Funds obtained from the reverse mortgage are tax-free.

Borrowers can choose to receive the reverse mortgage funds as a lump sum, monthly income (for up to life), or line of credit, or as a combination of monthly income and line of credit. No mortgage payments are due during the life of the loan.

Borrowers can use the funds anyway they wish – for home repairs and improvements, medical costs, in-home care, education, and supplemental retirement income. Borrowers make no monthly payments on a reverse mortgage during its term. The loan becomes repayable when the borrower sells the home or permanently moves out. In addition, the repayment amount can't exceed the value of the home.

Reverse mortgages are originated largely by private lenders. The most popular is the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), which is insured by the Federal Housing Administration, an arm of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). More than 450,000 HECMs have been made since 1989.

About NRMLA
NRMLA is a nonprofit trade association, based in Washington, DC, whose mission is to support the continued evolution of reverse mortgages as an important financial option for senior homeowners while educating both its members and consumers about the varied applications of this unique loan. Members sign a Code of Conduct pledging to abide by guidelines that assure fair, ethical, and respectful practices in offering and making reverse mortgages to seniors. Details on NRMLA, reverse mortgages, and a list of reverse mortgage lenders in each state are available on NRMLA’s Web site, at http://www.reversemortgage.org.