Hundreds of thousands of homeowners who took out loans with Countrywide, and were overcharged for their loans when they fell behind on their payments can expect some money back soon. It’s taken over a year for the Federal Trade Commission to figure out who will get parts of a $108 million settlement reached last summer with Countrywide. Countrywide will begin mailing checks today. Wells Fargo, the largest U.S. home lender, has also agreed to a steep fine of $85 million, for roping borrowers into costlier-than-necessary loans. Rochelle Gear, is one Countrywide borrower who believes she was unfairly overcharged when she couldn’t make payments on her Atlanta condo, and she now hopes she is eligible for the settlement payment.
Louise Story, Wall Street and finance reporter for The New York Times, gives the details of the settlement, including who is eligible and what the economy will be impacted.