May 20, 2014

Connecticut’s homeowners who are experiencing trouble paying their mortgage have another opportunity to explore loan modification and foreclosure prevention options with their lenders at a day-long, state-sponsored forum on Friday, May 30, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Trumbull Marriott in Trumbull, CT.  Free parking will be available for attendees.

The mortgage assistance event, the seventh sponsored by the state, was announced at a news conference today by 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 Dannel P. 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 that are struggling to stay in their homes may benefit enormously from this opportunity.”

Commissioner Pitkin said, "I encourage any Connecticut resident that might be having problems keeping up with their mortgage to take advantage of this opportunity to meet directly with a lender or loan servicer.  Local housing counselors will also be available to meet one-on-one with homeowners.  Those unable to attend can still receive help and guidance through the Department’s Foreclosure Assistance Hotline, at 1-877-472-8313.”

Among the loan servicers sending representatives are: Bank of America; CitiMortgage; Fannie Mae; Green Tree Servicing; HSBC National Bank USA; JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Nationstar Mortgage; Ocwen Loan Servicing; People's United Bank; U.S. Bank Home Mortgage; Webster Bank and Wells Fargo Bank. 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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