October 15, 2013

Connecticut’s distressed homeowners have another opportunity to explore loan modification and foreclosure prevention options with their lenders at a day-long, state-sponsored forum on Tuesday, October 22, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.  Free parking will be available for attendees.

The mortgage assistance event, the sixth sponsored by the state, was announced at a news conference today by Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Attorney General George Jepsen and Banking Commissioner Howard F. Pitkin. 

“Getting lenders and borrowers together to discuss the issues is the first step to keeping people in their homes,” said Governor Malloy.  “This event facilitates those important conversations between the banks and homeowners—thousands of residents have already received assistance and I encourage any distressed homeowner to participate."

“We know from recent reports that banks are providing real debt relief to Connecticut borrowers. More than 6,300 borrowers have benefitted since March 1, 2012 alone,” said Attorney General George Jepsen. “Homeowners in the Greater Hartford area that are struggling to stay in their homes may benefit enormously from this opportunity.”

Commissioner Pitkin said, "I encourage anyone having problems keeping up with their mortgage to attend.  In addition to meeting directly with a lender or loan servicer, housing counselors will be on hand to meet with homeowners.  Federal, state and local agencies will be available, providing information including job training, fuel assistance and other community resources.  Those unable to attend can get help through the Department’s Foreclosure Assistance Hotline, at 1-877-472-8313.”

Among the loan servicers sending representatives are: Bank of America; CitiMortgage; First Niagara Bank; HSBC National Bank USA; JPMorgan Chase & Co.; McCue Mortgage; Nationstar Mortgage; Ocwen Loan Servicing; People's United Bank; PNC Mortgage; U.S. Bank Home Mortgage; Webster Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, in addition to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Also attending will be HUD-approved housing counselors, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, pro bono attorneys, Judicial Branch foreclosure mediators and other federal, state and non-profit agencies.

Connecticut’s event format has become a model for other states because it succeeds in bringing hundreds of mortgage customers together with their bank representatives in one day, state officials said. The events make it easy for homeowners to start the loan review process or to expedite it. Others, who bring all the necessary paperwork, may get an answer the same day to their modification application. If additional paperwork is necessary, the homeowner comes away with a single point of contact to make sure that information gets to where it needs to be.

The goal is to get answers as quickly as possible for homeowners, so they can evaluate their options, make decisions regarding their homes or seek additional counseling.

More information about the mortgage assistance event, including the information homeowners should bring to help them get answers quickly, is available at www.ct.gov/dob, or by calling the Department of Banking at 860-240-8170 or Toll-free 1-877-472-8313.

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