Forbearance
What Is Forbearance? The term "forbearance" refers to the temporary postponement of loan payments, typically for a mortgage or student loan. Lenders and other creditors grant forbearance as an alternative to forcing a property into foreclosure or leaving the borrower to default on the loan. The companies that hold loans and their insurers are often willing to negotiate forbearance agreements because the losses caused by foreclosures or defaults typically fall on them. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, borrowers have new options for obtaining forbearance, although those are likely to expire in the future. KEY TAKEAWAYS Forbearance is a temporary postponement of loan payments granted by a lender instead of forcing the borrower into foreclosure or default. The terms of a forbearance agreement are negotiated between the borrower and the lender. The borrower must demonstrate the need for postponing payments, such as financial difficulties brought on by a m...