Here are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
We maintain an escrow account on your behalf to ensure that your annual expenses are paid in full and on time. Every time you make a mortgage payment, a set amount of your payment is deposited into your escrow account. We use this amount to pay your property taxes, hazard insurance premiums, and if applicable, your flood insurance and/or mortgage insurance premiums.
This statement shows the amount of taxes and/or insurance paid this past year on your behalf and what’s expected to be paid next year. As part of your annual review, we ensure the escrow portion of your monthly mortgage payment is enough to cover your taxes and insurance. We’re required under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) to provide you with an escrow account disclosure statement that shares the results of this review and its effect on your monthly mortgage payment. Occasionally, we may provide an interim statement in order to maintain compliance with RESPA.
As part of the annual escrow account review, we project how much you'll need to pay your taxes and insurance, based on your taxes and/or insurance at the time of your escrow analysis. If your taxes and/or insurance change during the next year, you could have a shortage or surplus in your account.
You can pay the entire shortage amount with the enclosed shortage remittance form, or you can begin making the new increased payment amount, which is calculated to repay the shortage over a 12-month period.
For your convenience, you can also pay your shortage online. Go to UmpquaBank.com/MortgageOnline to learn more.
An escrow shortage is the result of differences that occurred in the past— when the funds in your escrow account were less than what was required to cover the actual payments from your account. The escrow portion of your new monthly mortgage payment is based on projected activity for the coming year. Even if you pay your shortage, your payment may increase if your annual property tax or annual insurance premium increases.
Changes to the escrow portion of your monthly mortgage payment are typically the result of changes in your property taxes and/or hazard insurance.
Note: If the loan was for a newly constructed home, the assessed amount may be different during the construction phase. The county may reflect the tax amount for the lot/land only and increase the amount due when the home is added.
Under federal law, we’re allowed to maintain a cushion of funds in your escrow account. We use this as a safeguard in case your property tax and/or insurance payments increase. Unless your mortgage contract or state law specifies a lower amount, your escrow account minimum balance is equal to no more than two months escrow payments for your property taxes and hazard insurance. This is also equal to 1/6 of your total projected payments for property taxes and hazard insurance from the account. Mortgage insurance is not included in this calculation.
Existing customers are encouraged to create an account at UmpquaBank.com/MortgageOnline, where they can view the details of their home loan, make one-time payments, set up automatic payments, enroll in paperless statements, use helpful payment calculators, and more.
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