Statistics show loan modification not a panacea

"I do have a concern about money for loan modifications, particularly with such a high range of re-default," Reich told participants at a conference in Washington organized by the Office of Thrift Supervision. "Focusing on job creation is a better way to focus federal dollars than on a loan modification process may be only partially effective."


Office of Thrift Supervision Director John Reich discusses his thoughts on the best way to use government funds to end the financial crisis. He says government money may be better spent creating jobs than modifying mortgages. (Dec. 9)Reich's statement clashed with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation chairwoman Sheila Bair over the best way to use government funds to end the financial crisis.

Reich's comments were focused, in part, on Bair's controversial proposal that would use $24.4 billion of a $700 billion government bank bailout program to modify loans. Bair argues that her proposal, which isn't supported by outgoing Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, could avert 1.5 million foreclosures. Reich also referred to a job creation stimulus proposal put forward by President-elect Barack Obama.

Reich told MarketWatch that use of government capital to buy large minority stakes in U.S. savings and loan banks is working, but that it is too early to get a sense of how much lending participating institutions are doing.

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