was da alles so im argen ist....
Our business is subject to extensive examinations, investigations and reviews by various federal, state and local governmental, regulatory and enforcement agencies. We have historically had and continue to have a number of open investigations with these agencies. We continue to receive governmental and regulatory requests for information, subpoenas, examinations and other inquiries. We are currently the subject of various governmental or regulatory investigations, subpoenas, examinations and inquiries related to our residential loan servicing and origination practices, bankruptcy and collections practices, financial reporting and other aspects of our businesses. These matters include investigations by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”), the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Executive Office of the United States Trustees, the Department of Justice, the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the multi-state coalition of mortgage banking regulators and various State Attorneys General. These specific matters and other pending or potential future investigations, subpoenas, examinations or inquiries may lead to administrative, civil or criminal proceedings or settlements and possibly result in remedies including fines, penalties, restitution, or alterations in our business practices and in additional expenses and collateral costs. We are cooperating fully in these matters.
For example, we continue to progress towards resolution of certain legacy regulatory matters involving examination findings in prior years for alleged violations of certain laws related to our business practices. We have been in discussions with the multi-state committee of mortgage banking regulators and various State Attorneys General concerning a potential resolution of their investigations. We are continuing to cooperate with all parties. In connection with these discussions, we previously recorded an accrual. These discussions may not result in a settlement of the matter; furthermore, any such settlement may exceed the amount accrued as of September 30, 2019. Moreover, if the discussions do not result in a settlement, the regulators and State Attorneys General may seek to exercise their enforcement authority through litigation or other proceedings and seek injunctive relief, damages, restitution and civil monetary penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations.
Further, on April 24, 2018, the CFPB notified us that, in accordance with the CFPB’s discretionary Notice and Opportunity to Respond and Advise (NORA) process, the CFPB’s Office of Enforcement is considering whether to recommend that the CFPB take enforcement action against us, alleging violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Act, and the Homeowners Protection Act, which stems from a 2014 examination. The purpose of a NORA letter is to provide a party being investigated an opportunity to present its position to the CFPB before an enforcement action may be recommended or commenced. The CFPB may seek to exercise its enforcement authority through settlement, administrative proceedings or litigation and seek injunctive relief, damages, restitution and civil monetary penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations. We have not recorded an accrual related to this matter as of September 30, 2019 as we do not believe that the possible loss or range of loss arising from any such action is estimable. We are continuing to cooperate with the CFPB.
Similarly, we are in discussions with the Executive Office of the United States Trustees concerning certain legacy issues with respect to bankruptcy servicing practices. In connection with these discussions, we are undertaking certain voluntary remediation activities with respect to loans at issue in these matters. While we and the Executive Office of the United States Trustees are engaged in discussions to potentially resolve these issues, there is no guarantee a resolution will occur. Moreover, if the discussions do not result in a resolution, the Executive Office of the United States Trustees may seek redress through litigation or other proceedings and seek injunctive relief, damages and restitution in addition to the remediation activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations. However, we believe it is premature to predict the potential outcome or to estimate the financial impact to us in connection with any potential action or settlement arising from this matter, including the voluntary remediation activities undertaken and to be undertaken by us. |