By:  LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.

In the midst of the financial crisis, many Americans are foregoing expensive Valentine’s Day celebrations this year.   The money that might otherwise be spent on fancy dinners, hotel suites, and luxurious gifts is commonly being saved in order to pay this month’s mortgage.  Well, guess what?  We all just might have a new Valentine this year…. the Department of the Treasury.  Yep!  John M. Reich, Director at the Office of Thrift Supervision, recently issued a written plea to bank CEOs to temporarily cease foreclosing on troubled homes while the details of a national Financial Stability Plan are finalized.    “….[It's] the right thing to do to keep American families in their homes,” Director Reich states.  The Plan apparently calls for another $50 billion in home loan modification program to reducing monthly payments for homeowners.

Read the Office of Thrift Supervision letter here.