THE ASSOCIATED PRESS |
“A national report issued Thursday maintains that more than 120,000 Floridians have received billions in aid so far from five major banks.
That same report — required as part of a landmark $25 billion settlement that grew out of an investigation of reported foreclosure abuses — shows that much of the $9.2 billion in assistance came from lenders forgiving loans or liens in order to the facilitate the sale of homes.
The data collected by a national monitor is all self-reported by the banks and has not yet been confirmed.
But if it holds, state Attorney General Pam Bondi said it means that Florida got a larger share than was anticipated under the settlement that was announced in 2012.
“The banks are reporting that they have exceeded our expectations for relief provided to Floridians by $800 million,” Bondi said in a statement. “We will remain diligent in our efforts to ensure compliance with the settlement and to verify that the banks have fulfilled their obligations.”
Florida — which has been hit hard by the foreclosure crisis and the collapse of the housing market — negotiated one of the largest shares in the settlement agreement with Ally Financial, Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo.
The help provided by the banks on loans and mortgages is on top of more than $100 million in direct payments that went to Florida homeowners and more than $300 million that was paid to the state. Florida is using that money on everything from domestic violence shelters to affordable housing programs and Habitat for Humanity.”