Chase Bank Gets Proactive About Preventing Indiana Foreclosures

Chase Bank, one of the nation's top four mortgage lenders, is showing it cares about preventing new foreclosures. The Chicago-based company opened a new distressed mortgage counseling office in Indianapolis, the bank's first such center in Indiana. The six-person office is located downtown, in the 48-story Chase Tower.

Homeownership Centers Help Prevent Foreclosures

Called "Homeownership Centers," Chase's one stop centers allow homeowners who are having trouble paying their mortgages the opportunity talk with someone from the bank face-to-face. Over the past three years, these centers have helped to prevent more than 500,000 foreclosures.

At the centers, a bank representative can discuss the various bank and government-sponsored options available to distressed homeowners.

Homeownership Center Services

Chase Bank's homeownership centers let homeowners in crisis know someone at the bank cares. Clients deal with the same person each time they meet. They don't have to wait on hold for long periods of time just to be transferred to another department, or have to restate their case to new people only to be given different answers.

Such centers also offer free parking and extended hours, so that clients who work 9am to 5pm can still take advantage of the services.

Chase Bank will have 86 Homeownership Centers by the end of 2011. Most of these centers are located in states like California and Florida, which have been most affected by the foreclosure crisis.

Unfortunately such centers are not able to help all homeowners facing foreclosure. Since 80 percent of Chase's mortgages have been sold to other investors, sometimes the ways the bank can assist borrowers are limited.

Do You Need a Foreclosure Attorney?

Hiring an attorney that specializes in foreclosure law is another option for distressed homeowners. Avoiding a foreclosure action can become a full-time job, one that most homeowners are not trained to do. It often makes sense to work with an attorney who has expertise in the area of home foreclosures. A lawyer can advise you of the best option for your unique situation.

You don't have to face foreclosure alone. There are a plethora of options available to homeowners in trouble. Make sure to take advantage of them.