Final answer:
The transfer of the Smiths' mortgage from ABC Savings and Loan to Citibank means the Smiths will now direct their mortgage payments to Citibank and deal with it for any mortgage-related issues. The overall terms of the loan should remain the same, but administrative details and customer service contacts will alter.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Smiths bought their house and obtained a mortgage from ABC Savings and Loan, they agreed to repay the borrowed amount with interest over a certain period. Should ABC Savings and Loan transfer the right to receive mortgage payments to Citibank, the Smiths' obligation to repay the loan transfers to Citibank as well. This is common in the secondary loan market, where financial institutions buy and sell loans. The Smiths now owe their monthly mortgage payments to Citibank, and any customer service, payment processing changes, or potential loan servicing issues would be managed by Citibank instead of ABC Savings and Loan.
From the Smiths' perspective, this transfer primarily results in a change of the institution to whom they direct their mortgage payments and from whom they receive any mortgage-related correspondence. Citibank now acquires the legal obligation to provide loan servicing to the Smiths, and it's important that the Smiths update their payment information to ensure future payments reach the correct lender. They should also be aware of and understand any new policies or changes in fee structures that Citibank may have compared to ABC Savings and Loan.