Mortgage Loans in Forbearance Increases to 8.5 Percent in U.S.

Based on the Mortgage Bankers Association's latest Forbearance and Call Volume Survey, the total number of loans now in forbearance increased from 8.36% of servicers' portfolio volume in the prior week to 8.46% as of May 24, 2020. According to MBA's estimate, just over 4.2 million homeowners are now in forbearance plans.

Mortgages backed by Ginnie Mae again had the largest overall share of loans in forbearance by investor type (11.82%) and the largest increase from the previous week (22 basis points). The number of loans in forbearance for depository servicers rose to 9.19%, while the number of loans in forbearance for independent mortgage bank (IMB) servicers increased to 8.21%.

"MBA's survey continues to indicate that fewer homeowners are seeking forbearance as more states across the country reopen their economies and prospects begin to improve. The share of loans in forbearance increased by only 10 basis points over the week of May 24th," said Mike Fratantoni, MBA's Senior Vice President and Chief Economist. "Policy support for households, including expanded unemployment insurance benefits and other transfers, have helped many stay on their feet during this crisis. With 11.82 percent of Ginnie Mae loans currently in forbearance, FHA and VA borrowers are struggling the most."

Added Fratantoni, "Forbearance requests and call volume declined relative to the prior week and led to further declines in wait times and abandonment rates."

Key findings of MBA's Forbearance and Call Volume Survey - May 18 to May 24, 2020

• Total loans in forbearance grew relative to the prior week from 8.36% to 8.46%. This 10-basis- point weekly increase was the smallest increase reported since the week of March 9.

• By investor type, the share of Ginnie Mae loans in forbearance increased relative to the prior week: from 11.60% to 11.82%.
• The share of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans in forbearance increased relative to the prior week: from 6.36% to 6.39%.
• The share of other loans (e.g., private-label securities and portfolio loans) in forbearance increased relative to the prior week: from 9.54% to 9.67%.

• Forbearance requests as a percent of servicing portfolio volume (#) dropped across all investor types for the sixth consecutive week relative to the prior week: from 0.28% to 0.20%.

• Weekly servicer call center volume:

• As a percent of servicing portfolio volume (#), calls decreased from 8.6% to 6.6% - the lowest since this survey series began in the week of March 2.
• Average speed to answer and abandonment rates also reached their lowest levels for this series. Average speed to answer decreased relative to the prior week from 1.6 minutes to 1.3 minutes.

• Abandonment rates decreased from 4.6% to 4.0%.

• Average call length decreased from 7.0 minutes to 6.7 minutes.

• Loans in forbearance as a share of servicing portfolio volume (#) as of May 24, 2020:

• Total: 8.46% (previous week: 8.36%)
• IMBs: 8.21% (previous week: 8.11%)
• Depositories: 9.19% (previous week: 9.13%)