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ยป Oklahoma rank: 19 90+ Day Delinquency Rate Foreclosure Rate April 2013 2.0% Unemployment Rate 2.9% 4.9% year ago 2.1% 3.3% 5.0% year-over-year change -7.4% -12.5% -2.0% Top County 90+ Day Delinquency Rate AdAir COunTy Foreclosure Rate April 2013 3.7% 10.1% year ago 2.5% 8.0% year-over-year change 51.6% 26.4% Top Core-Based Statistical Area MiAMi, OK 90+ Day Delinquency Rate Foreclosure Rate April 2013 2.6% 6.2% year ago 2.7% 5.9% year-over-year change -4.6% 5.3% note: The 90+ day delinquecy rate is the percentage of outstanding mortgage loans that are seriously delinquent. The foreclosure rate is the percentage of outstanding mortgage loans currently in foreclosure. State rank is based on the April 2013 foreclosure rate. All figures are rounded to the nearest decimal. The unemployment rate reflects preliminary April 2013 figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All other data courtesy of LPS Applied Analytics. IN THE NEWS Guardian Mortgage Employees Raise Funds for Tornado Victims Guardian Mortgage Company, an independent mortgage lender with offices in Texas and Michigan, is seeking help to raise relief funds for Oklahomans affected by the Moore tornado on May 19. Guardian employees have already taken the initiative to help and are now reaching out to their mortgage customers, associations, and lending partners to raise additional funds to help those impacted by the devastating tornado. During an internal effort held May 24, Guardian and its employees raised more than $1,500 during a 20-minute drive period to support the cause. To further help those in need, the company invites its customers and lending partners to participate in the effort by texting the phrase "REDCROSS" to 90999. Each text will send a $10 donation to the Red Cross to support Oklahomans in need. Oklahoma Brokerages Selected to Join RealtyTrac Network Two Oklahoma real estate brokerage companies were added to the RealtyTrac Network (RTN) last month. Prudential Alliance Realty and Prudential Detrick Realty joined RTN, which functions as a licensed network for independent and franchised brokerages. The new additions are two of the oldest real estate brokerages in Oklahoma still in operation. "Membership in our esteemed network is highly selective," said RealtyTrac CEO Jamie Moyle. "We personally select brokerages based upon their proven performance as a residential real estate brokerage services company. Prudential Alliance Realty and Prudential Detrick Realty are well known throughout Oklahoma, and they are a natural fit for our premier RealtyTrac Network." By joining the network, the brokerages have exclusive access to buyer and seller leads, housing data from RealtyTrac's subsidiary Homefacts.com, market insights, brand exposure, and national media resources, according to RealtyTrac. "Our new involvement with the RealtyTrac Network has added an important new dimension to our brokerage offering," said Sheldon Detrick, CEO of Prudential Alliance Realty and Prudential Detrick Realty. "Among other benefits, our brokerage now has access to a customized feed of unique properties aggregated by RealtyTrac nationwide and the use of a sophisticated search tool that enables our company to hone in on new listing opportunities that meet very specific market criteria." GSEs Announce Relief to Borrowers Impacted by Oklahoma Tornado Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reminded servicers of mortgage relief options available to homeowners whose residences were affected by the tornadoes that ravaged areas in Oklahoma. Relief options for borrowers in disaster areas include delayed foreclosure and eviction proceedings, waived penalties and late fees, and forbearance on mortgage payments, among other forms of assistance. VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM "Our servicers are required to offer assistance to homeowners who have been affected by a natural disaster," said Leslie Peeler, SVP at Fannie Mae. "We know that many people have had their lives impacted as a result of this tornado and our thoughts and prayers are with them. We will work with our servicers to make sure they are providing the appropriate options to borrowers." Tracy Mooney, SVP for Freddie Mac, added, "Freddie Mac is urgently reminding the nation's mortgage servicers about the full range of mortgage relief options they can provide to affected borrowers with mortgages we own or guarantee, including forbearance on mortgage payments for up to one year. We strongly encourage borrowers to contact their servicers, who are fully authorized to work with them on a case-by-case basis." The GSEs advised affected borrowers to contact their mortgage servicers directly to receive assistance. OCC Encourages Banks to Assist Customers Impacted by Tornadoes The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a statement to encourage banks and federal savings associations to work with customers affected by the destructive tornadoes that tore through Oklahoma in late May and early June. The regulator provided a link to a bulletin that includes supervisory guidance for financial institutions responding to disasters around their locations. Banks and federal savings associations are encouraged to consider alternatives to assist impacted customers, by waiving or reducing ATM fees; temporarily waiving late payment fees or penalties for early withdrawal of savings; restructuring borrowers' debt obligations; and expediting lending decisions, among other forms of assistance. STAT INSIGHT 8.6% Mortgages at least 30 days delinquent or in foreclosure in Oklahoma. Source: Lender Processing Services 87