Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund
Establishment
2 U.S.C. 661section 1709 of this titleSubject to the provisions of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 [ et seq.], there is hereby created a Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (in this subchapter referred to as the “Fund”), which shall be used by the Secretary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter with respect to mortgages insured under . The Secretary may enter into commitments to guarantee, and may guarantee, such insured mortgages.
Limit on loan guarantees
The authority of the Secretary to enter into commitments to guarantee such insured mortgages shall be effective for any fiscal year only to the extent that the aggregate original principal loan amount under such mortgages, any part of which is guaranteed, does not exceed the amount specified in appropriations Acts for such fiscal year.
Fiduciary responsibility
The Secretary has a responsibility to ensure that the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund remains financially sound.
Annual independent actuarial study
The Secretary shall provide for an independent actuarial study of the Fund to be conducted annually, which shall analyze the financial position of the Fund. The Secretary shall submit a report annually to the Congress describing the results of such study and assessing the financial status of the Fund. The report shall recommend adjustments to underwriting standards, program participation, or premiums, if necessary, to ensure that the Fund remains financially sound. The report shall also include an evaluation of the quality control procedures and accuracy of information utilized in the process of underwriting loans guaranteed by the Fund. Such evaluation shall include a review of the risk characteristics of loans based not only on borrower information and performance, but on risks associated with loans originated or funded by various entities or financial institutions.
Quarterly reports
Adjustment of premiums
If, pursuant to the independent actuarial study of the Fund required under paragraph (4), the Secretary determines that the Fund is not meeting the operational goals established under paragraph (7) or there is a substantial probability that the Fund will not maintain its established target subsidy rate, the Secretary may either make programmatic adjustments under this subchapter as necessary to reduce the risk to the Fund, or make appropriate premium adjustments.
Operational goals
Advisory Board
Mortgagee Review Board
Establishment
15 U.S.C. 169142 U.S.C. 3601There is established within the Federal Housing Administration the Mortgagee Review Board (“Board”). The Board is empowered to initiate the issuance of a letter of reprimand, the probation, suspension or withdrawal of any mortgagee found to be engaging in activities in violation of Federal Housing Administration requirements or the nondiscrimination requirements of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act [ et seq.], the Fair Housing Act [ et seq.], or Executive Order 11063.
Composition
Actions authorized
Letter of reprimand
2
Probation
15 U.S.C. 169142 U.S.C. 3601The Board may place a mortgagee on probation for a specified period of time not to exceed 6 months for the purpose of evaluating the mortgagee’s compliance with Federal Housing Administration requirements, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act [ et seq.], the Fair Housing Act [ et seq.], Executive Order 11063, or orders of the Board. During the probation period, the Board may impose reasonable additional requirements on a mortgagee including supervision of the mortgagee’s activities by the Federal Housing Administration, periodic reporting to the Federal Housing Commissioner, or submission to Federal Housing Administration audits of internal financial statements, audits by an independent certified public accountant or other audits.
Suspension
The Board may issue an order temporarily suspending a mortgagee’s approval for doing business with the Federal Housing Administration if (i) there exists adequate evidence of a violation or violations and (ii) continuation of the mortgagee’s approval, pending or at the completion of any audit, investigation, or other review, or such administrative or other legal proceedings as may ensue, would not be in the public interest or in the best interests of the Department. Notwithstanding paragraph (4)(A), a suspension shall be effective upon issuance by the Board if the Board determines that there exists adequate evidence that immediate action is required to protect the financial interests of the Department or the public. A suspension shall last for not less than 6 months, and for not longer than 1 year. The Board may extend the suspension for an additional 6 months if it determines the extension is in the public interest. If the Board and the mortgagee agree, these time limits may be extended. During the period of suspension, the Federal Housing Administration shall not commit to insure any mortgage originated by the suspended mortgagee.
Withdrawal
The Board may issue an order withdrawing a mortgagee if the Board has made a determination of a serious violation or repeated violations by the mortgagee. The Board shall determine the terms of such withdrawal, but the term shall be not less than 1 year. Where the Board has determined that the violation is egregious or willful, the withdrawal shall be permanent.
Settlements
Notice and hearing
Publication
The Secretary shall establish and publish in the Federal Register a description of and the cause for administrative action against a mortgagee.
Cease-and-desist orders
“Mortgagee” defined
Report required
The Board, in consultation with the Federal Housing Administration Advisory Board, shall annually recommend to the Secretary such amendments to statute or regulation as the Board determines to be appropriate to ensure the long term financial strength of the Federal Housing Administration fund and the adequate support for home mortgage credit.
Prohibition against limitations on Mortgagee Review Board’s power to take action against mortgagees
No State or local law, and no Federal law (except a Federal law enacted expressly in limitation of this subsection after the effective date of this sentence), shall preclude or limit the exercise by the Board of its power to take any action authorized under paragraphs (3) and (6) of this subsection against any mortgagee.
Limitations on participation in origination and mortgagee approval
Requirement
Any person or entity that is not approved by the Secretary to serve as a mortgagee, as such term is defined in subsection (c)(7), shall not participate in the origination of an FHA-insured loan except as authorized by the Secretary.
Eligibility for approval
Rulemaking and implementation
The Secretary shall conduct a rulemaking to carry out this subsection. The Secretary shall implement this subsection not later than the expiration of the 60-day period beginning upon , by notice, mortgagee letter, or interim final regulations, which shall take effect upon issuance.
Coordination of GNMA and FHA withdrawal action
Suspension or revocation of approval of mortgagee; notice and statement of reasons
Appraisal standards
Direct Endorsement Program.—
Fee Panel Appraisers.—
Additional appraiser standards .—
Use of name
June 27, 1934, ch. 84748 Stat. 1248Feb. 3, 1938, ch. 13, § 352 Stat. 10June 3, 1939, ch. 175, § 553 Stat. 805Apr. 20, 1950, ch. 9464 Stat. 59Pub. L. 90–19, § 1(a)(3)81 Stat. 17Pub. L. 101–235, title I, § 142103 Stat. 2030Pub. L. 101–625, title III, § 322104 Stat. 4134Pub. L. 102–550, title V106 Stat. 3778Pub. L. 105–65, title V, § 551111 Stat. 1412Pub. L. 106–377, § 1(a)(1) [title II, § 209(c)]114 Stat. 1441Pub. L. 110–289, div. A, title IV, § 1404122 Stat. 2810Pub. L. 111–22, div. A, title II, § 203(a)123 Stat. 1643Pub. L. 111–203, title III, § 373124 Stat. 1566Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(54)136 Stat. 4311(, title II, § 202, ; , ; , ; , title I, § 122, ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , §§ 502, 518, 519, , , 3792; , , ; , , , 1441A–25; , div. B, title I, §§ 2116(1), (3), 2118(a), , , 2832, 2833; , (b), , ; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Pub. L. 93–344Pub. L. 101–508, title XIII, § 13201(a)104 Stat. 1388–609section 621 of Title 2The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is title V of , as added by , , , which is classified generally to subchapter III (§ 661 et seq.) of chapter 17A of Title 2, The Congress. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Section 3537b(c) of title 42section 112 of Pub. L. 101–235section 3537b of title 42Pub. L. 104–65, § 11(b)(1)109 Stat. 701, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), was in the original “section 112(c) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989”, meaning , which does not contain a subsec. (c), but enacted section 13 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act, which was classified to prior to repeal by , , , and which contained a subsec. (c) relating to registration with the Secretary.
Pub. L. 90–321Pub. L. 93–495, title V, § 50388 Stat. 1521section 1601 of Title 15The Equal Credit Opportunity Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), (3)(B), is title VII of , as added by , , , which is classified generally to subchapter IV (§ 1691 et seq.) of chapter 41 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 90–28482 Stat. 81section 3601 of Title 42The Fair Housing Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), (3)(B), is title VIII of , , , which is classified principally to subchapter I (§ 3601 et seq.) of chapter 45 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
section 1982 of Title 42Executive Order 11063, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), (3)(B), is set out as a note under .
act June 27, 1934, ch. 84748 Stat. 1246This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(7)(A), was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , which is classified principally to this chapter (§ 1701 et seq.). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
Pub. L. 111–22The effective date of this sentence, referred to in subsec. (c)(9), is the date of enactment of , which enacted par. (9) and was approved .
Pub. L. 110–289122 Stat. 2810section 5101 of this titleThe S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(F), is title V of div. A of , , , also known as the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, which is classified generally to chapter 51 (§ 5101 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Codification
Section 1709(s) of this titlePub. L. 110–289, div. B, title I, § 2116(3)122 Stat. 2832act June 27, 1934, ch. 847, title II, § 203(s)Pub. L. 101–235, title I, § 135103 Stat. 2028Pub. L. 108–386, § 8(b)118 Stat. 2231Pub. L. 110–289, div. B, title I, § 2116(2)122 Stat. 2832, which was transferred and redesignated as subsec. (e) of this section by , , , was based on , as added , , ; amended , , ; , , .
Amendments
Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(54)(A)2022—Subsec. (b). , substituted “chapter 10 of title 5.” for “the Federal Advisory Committee Act.” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(54)(B)section 1006 of title 5Subsec. (b)(10). , substituted “,” for “Section 7 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act,”.
Pub. L. 111–203, § 373(1)2010—Subsec. (f)(5). , added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows: “if the mortgagee is a national bank, or a subsidiary or affiliate of such a bank, the Comptroller of the Currency;”.
Pub. L. 111–203, § 373(2)Subsec. (f)(6). , inserted “and” at end.
Pub. L. 111–203, § 373(3)Subsec. (f)(7). , inserted “or State savings association” after “State bank” and substituted period for “; and” at end.
Pub. L. 111–203, § 373(4)Subsec. (f)(8). , struck out par. (8) which read as follows: “if the mortgagee is a Federal or State savings association or a subsidiary or affiliate of a savings association, the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision.”
Pub. L. 111–22, § 203(a)(1)(A)2009—Subsec. (c)(2)(E). , inserted “and” after semicolon at end.
Pub. L. 111–22, § 203(a)(1)(B)Subsec. (c)(2)(F). , substituted “or their designees.” for “; and”.
Pub. L. 111–22, § 203(a)(1)(C)Subsec. (c)(2)(G). , struck out subpar. (G), which read as follows: “the Director of the Enforcement Center; or their designees.”
Pub. L. 111–22, § 203(a)(2)Subsec. (c)(9). , added par. (9).
Pub. L. 111–22, § 203(b)(1)Subsecs. (d) to (g). , (2), added subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsecs. (d) to (f) as (e) to (g), respectively.
Pub. L. 111–22, § 203(b)(3)Subsec. (h). , added subsec. (h).
Pub. L. 110–289, § 2118(a)section 1709 of this title2008—Subsec. (a). , amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “There is created a Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Fund’), which shall be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out the provisions of this subchapter with respect to mortgages insured under as hereinafter provided, and there shall be allocated immediately to such Fund the sum of $10,000,000 out of funds made available to the Secretary for the purposes of this subchapter.”
Pub. L. 110–289, § 2116(3)section 1709 of this titleSubsec. (e). , transferred subsec. (s) of and redesignated it as subsec. (e) of this section. See Codification note above. Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).
Pub. L. 110–289, § 2116(1)(A)Subsec. (e)(3)(B). , made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to “this subsection”.
Pub. L. 110–289, § 1404Subsec. (e)(5). , added par. (5).
Pub. L. 110–289, § 2116(1)(B)Subsec. (f). , redesignated subsec. (e) as (f).
Pub. L. 106–377, § 1(a)(1) [title II, § 209(c)(1)]2000—Subsec. (c)(2)(E). , struck out “and” at end.
Pub. L. 106–377, § 1(a)(1) [title II, § 209(c)(2)]Subsec. (c)(2)(F). , which directed substitution of “and” for “or their designees.”, was executed by inserting “and” after semicolon to reflect the probable intent of Congress, because the phrase “or their designees.” appeared at end of par. (2) and did not appear in subpar. (F).
Pub. L. 106–377, § 1(a)(1) [title II, § 209(c)(3)]Subsec. (c)(2)(G). , added subpar. (G).
Pub. L. 105–651997—Subsec. (c)(3)(C). inserted after first sentence “Notwithstanding paragraph (4)(A), a suspension shall be effective upon issuance by the Board if the Board determines that there exists adequate evidence that immediate action is required to protect the financial interests of the Department or the public.”
Pub. L. 102–550, § 5021992—Subsec. (b)(11). , added par. (11).
Pub. L. 102–550, § 518Subsec. (c)(3)(C). , inserted “temporarily” after “order”, “(i)” after “Administration if”, “(ii)” after “violations and”, and “, and for not longer than 1 year. The Board may extend the suspension for an additional 6 months if it determines the extension is in the public interest. If the Board and the mortgagee agree, these time limits may be extended” after “6 months”.
Pub. L. 102–550, § 519(1)Subsec. (c)(6)(D). , struck out subpar. (D) which read as follows: “For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘mortgagee’ means a mortgagee, a branch office or subsidiary of a mortgagee, or a director, officer, employee, agent, or other person participating in the conduct of the affairs of such mortgagee.”
Pub. L. 102–550, § 519(2)Subsec. (c)(7), (8). , added par. (7) and redesignated former par. (7) as (8).
Pub. L. 101–6251990—Subsec. (e)(3), (4). added pars. (3) and (4).
Pub. L. 101–2351989— substituted “Federal Housing Administration operations” for “Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund” in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and inserted heading, and added subsecs. (b) to (e).
Pub. L. 90–191967— substituted “Secretary” for “Commissioner” wherever appearing.
1950—Act , substituted “Commissioner” for “Administrator” wherever appearing.
1939—Act , substituted “created” for “create”.
section 1709 of this title1938—Act , inserted “with respect to mortgages insured under ”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104–14section 21 of Title 2Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs of House of Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Banking and Financial Services of House of Representatives by , set out as a note preceding , The Congress. Committee on Banking and Financial Services of House of Representatives abolished and replaced by Committee on Financial Services of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance generally transferred from Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh Congress, .
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–203section 351 of Pub. L. 111–203section 906 of Title 2Amendment by effective on the transfer date, see , set out as a note under , The Congress.
Expanded Review of FHA Mortgagee Applicants and Newly Approved Mortgagees
Pub. L. 111–22, div. A, title II, § 203(g)123 Stat. 1648