Four financial regulatory agencies, including the NCUA, issued guidance Thursday concerning mortgage servicing practices that may pose risks to homeowners serving in the military.

Specifically, the guidance addresses risks related to military homeowners who have informed their loan servicer that they have received Permanent Change of Station orders and might seek assistance with their mortgage loans. 

For military homeowners, receiving PCS orders to relocate to a new duty station can present challenges when they are unable to sell their homes to pay off the mortgage debt. The guidance reminds mortgage loan servicers that their employees should be adequately trained about the options available for assisting military homeowners with PCS orders.

When homeowners notify their servicers that they have received PCS orders, servicers should provide accurate, clear and readily understandable information about available options for which the homeowner may qualify based on the information known. Servicers also should communicate decisions on assistance requests in a timely manner.    

The guidance is consistent with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and with guidance and examination procedures previously issued by the Federal Reserve regarding working with homeowners who are financially unable to continue meeting their mortgage payments, the agencies said.

A PDF version of the guidance is available on the Federal Reserve's website.

Joining the NCUA in the guidance are the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the FDIC, the Fed, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.