Treasury loan help report irks McCollum

Yesterday’s Treasury Department report that only 12.4 percent of Florida borrowers who are at least two months behind on their mortgages are getting help — well below the 20 percent national average — has irritated Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum. McCollum, now a candidate for governor, said he has received more than 450 complaints about mortgage lenders across the state, adding that he is outraged that homeowners are getting the run-around from banks instead of being assiste their mortgage refinancing and loan modifications. Nationwide, 3.2 million borrowers are at least 60 days behind on their mortgage payments, including many South Floridians. In September, 17.8 percent of home loan payments in Palm Beach County, 20.7 percent in Broward County and 25.1 percent in Miami-Dade County were 90 days or more past due. [Sun-Sentinel]