Former FHA official predicts ‘pivotal’ year for reverse mortgages

Former Federal Housing Administration Commissioner Brian Montgomery, who oversaw the nation’s most popular reverse mortgage product for nearly five years, sees a “pivotal” year ahead for the industry that allows seniors to tap the equity in their homes.

In 2009, the program’s fund suffered a $198 million shortfall that was generally attributed to the decline of home values, national media stories about unscrupulous lenders and a call by some legislators to keep reverse mortgages from becoming the next subprime debacle. In 2010, the shortfall is expected to be $250 million.

Because of the shortfalls, the principal limit factor has been tweaked to reduce the net amounts seniors can receive.