Community Banks Will Benefit from HR 2226

Community banks stand to benefit if HR 2226 continues to progress toward passage. This bill – the Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act – amends the federal Truth in Lending Act by creating a special type of “qualified mortgage” for lenders who hold loans in their...

Texas Home Equity Reform Passes

As was anticipated, on Tuesday November 7th, Texas voters approved Proposition 2, an amendment to the Texas Constitution that allows Texas equity loans to be refinanced, under certain conditions, with a regular (non-home equity) loan. The amendment also makes...

J. Allen Smith Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer

J. Allen Smith, President of SettlePou, has been recognized in Texas Super Lawyers, published by Thompson Reuters, for the 11th year in a row. Texas Super Lawyers are selected through a multiphase selection process of peer nominations, independent research, and...

Texas to Vote on Major Amendment to Home Equity Law

The Texas Legislature in the recently concluded regular session approved SJR 60, proposing the first major regulatory overhaul of home equity lending in nearly a decade.  This proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution will be presented for ratification in Texas’...