Controversial Berkshire Hathaway unit, Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance (VMF), has announced the launch of a new program. Details on that will be found in tonight’s spotlight report, further below.
If you’re new, already hooked on our spotlight feature – or are ready to get the MH professional fever – our headline reports are found further below, just beyond the Manufactured Housing Composite Value for today.
The evolving Daily Business News market report sets the manufactured home industry’s stocks in the broader context of the overall markets.
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S&P 500 2,552.07 +14.33(+0.56%)
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Russell 2000 1,512.09 +4.32(+0.29%
Manufactured Housing Composite Value
Today’s Big Movers
For all the scores and highlights on tracked manufactured home connected stocks today, see the Bloomberg graphic, posted below.
Today’s MH Market Spotlight Report –
In a media release, Berkshire Hathaway, and Clayton Homes’ long-time “captive” controversial lending unit, Vanderbilt Mortgage has dived into a competition with the industry’s commercial mortgage brokers.
“The national home lender previously originated loans exclusively for consumer manufactured housing,” said the VMF release on Markets Insider, “but now it is expanding its operations to include lending to land-lease communities (manufactured housing communities and parks). Vanderbilt will offer commercial financing in select states, with a focus on making loans in the $1 million to $5 million range.”
That would put them in direct competition with other industry commercial loan originators and brokers, several of which are Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) members.
Congressional and Non-Profit Allegations, CFPB Investigation
As was reported recently at this link here, VMF has been accused by congressional lawmakers of “near monopoly” practices, along with:
- Racism,
- Steering, and
- Predatory Lending practices.
MHProNews reached out again today to VMF President, Eric Hamilton, asking him to confirm or deny claims of current and pending fines against their firm, as well as giving him an opportunity to denounce all racism.
Once more, as of this publishing, Hamilton declined comment.
MHProNews readers will be advised if Hamilton, MHI or other Berkshire Hathaway units will make a statement on these thorny issues.
MHI has been scrutinized for allegedly tilting towards Berkshire Hathaway in its operation, and for engaging in controversial practices questioned by some of its own members. Three of several examples that involve lending are linked here, here, and here.
Which begs the question. Will MHI now tilt towards VMF in matters relating to commercial finance, to the detriment of other industry members?
Their release notes that they’ve been “In business for more than 40 years, the company currently services more than 180,000 home loans…”
Consumer Affairs website gives an overall positive review of the firm, but they include a posted statement that says, “Vanderbilt Mortgage pays a monthly fee to participate in the Consumer Affairs accreditation program and may also pay a referral fee for links on our site.” The screen capture below reflects the other side of VMF’s public reviews.
See Recent Exclusive 1 Year Snapshot of All Tracked Stocks
NOTE: the chart below covers a number of stocks NOT reflected in the Yahoo MHCV, shown above.
NOTE: Drew changed its name and trading symbol at the end of 2016 to Lippert (LCII).
Berkshire Hathaway is the parent company to Clayton Homes, 21st Mortgage, Vanderbilt Mortgage and other factory built housing industry suppliers.
LCI Industries, Patrick, UFPI and LP all supply manufactured housing.
AMG, CG and TAVFX have investments in manufactured housing related businesses.
Your link to a recent round of industry praise for our coverage, is found here.
For the examples of our kudos linked above…plus well over 1,000 positive, public comments, we say – “Thank You for your vote of confidence.”
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Submitted by Soheyla Kovach to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.com.