WASHINGTON — Seth Appleton, President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI), issued the following statement on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) announcement of the next phase of the public engagement process for the updated credit score requirements for loans acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the government-sponsored enterprises or GSEs):

“USMI applauds FHFA and Director Thompson’s responsiveness to concerns regarding the implementation of new credit score models and credit report requirements for mortgages acquired by the GSEs. The private mortgage insurance (MI) industry has served as an accessible route to homeownership for millions of home-ready borrowers over the past 66 years, and USMI’s members welcome robust engagement with FHFA, the GSEs, lenders, and other industry stakeholders to ensure a smooth implementation that promotes efficient market operations, supports borrowers’ continued access to mortgage financing, and protects taxpayers from undue credit risk.

“USMI looks forward to participating in the forthcoming forums and listening sessions to collaborate with policymakers and stakeholders to address issues, challenges, and opportunities associated with the implementation of new credit score requirements. As part of the expanded public engagement process, USMI encourages FHFA to direct the GSEs to release loan-level data for Classic FICO, FICO 10T, and VantageScore 4.0 to allow for comprehensive analysis and work toward a smooth transition and achievable timeline that minimizes costs and complexity.”

In May, USMI submitted supplemental comments and recommendations to the GSEs’ Credit Score Industry Engagement Survey to work towards facilitating a smooth transition to new credit score requirements. Additionally, in late June, USMI joined a coalition of industry trade associations and consumer advocate groups in sending a letter to advocate for adjustments to the implementation plan that would increase transparency, stakeholder feedback, and industry analysis of data related to the adoption of the FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 credit score models, as well as the new bi-merge credit reporting policy by the GSEs.

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U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI) is dedicated to a housing finance system backed by private capital that enables access to housing finance for borrowers while protecting taxpayers. Mortgage insurance offers an effective way to make mortgage credit available to more people. USMI is ready to help build the future of homeownership. Learn more at www.usmi.org.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI), the association representing the nation’s leading private mortgage insurance (MI) companies in an industry with $1.5 trillion of insurance-in-force, today announced that Seth Appleton, the President of the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO), will serve as the association’s new President starting in January 2023. Appleton currently serves as co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Council and previously served as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a position for which he was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.

Appleton is a seasoned legislative, regulatory, and public policy professional with a track record of working across the aisle to deliver results, as proven by his role in helping to pass reauthorization legislation that reformed housing policies for the first time in decades and was unanimously passed by a Republican-led Congress and supported and signed into law by President Obama.

“With a deep knowledge of the mortgage industry and a proven record of bipartisan advocacy, Seth is the right leader to promote the mission of the private mortgage insurance industry in helping first-time homebuyers achieve the American dream of homeownership,” said Adolfo Marzol, USMI’s Board Chairman. “Seth’s diverse experience in senior roles at HUD, Ginnie Mae, MISMO, and on Capitol Hill stand out. He knows how to collaborate to get things done in Washington, and we are excited to bring his proven leadership to USMI,” continued Marzol.

“I am honored to join the private mortgage insurance industry at a time when sustainable low down payment lending – backed by private capital – is so important to borrowers and the entire housing finance system,” said Appleton. “Over 37 million low down payment borrowers have gained access to affordable and sustainable mortgage financing by utilizing private mortgage insurance. This track record of serving borrower needs while reducing risk to the housing finance system is the foundation for broad bipartisan support for the role of private MI. As USMI President, I look forward to communicating the value of private MI in unlocking the opportunity to buy a home for millions of additional families in the years to come, while at the same time providing safety and soundness for the housing finance system.”

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U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI) is dedicated to a housing finance system backed by private capital that enables access to housing finance for borrowers while protecting taxpayers. Mortgage insurance offers an effective way to make mortgage credit available to more people. USMI is ready to help build the future of homeownership. Learn more at www.usmi.org.