HOPE NOW, an alliance between mortgage service professionals and non-profit counselors, reported 99,499 modifications in January, compared to 50,364 new permanent modifications under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). January HOPE NOW modification numbers dropped only slightly from 104,423 non-HAMP modifications in December, compared to roughly 35,000 permanent modifications under HAMP in that same month. The US Treasury Department launched HAMP in March 2009 to provide incentives to servicers for the modification of loans on the verge of foreclosure. Through February 2010, the 113 participating servicers provided 170,000 permanent modifications. HOPE NOW reported 74% of its January modifications involved interest and principal reductions, equaling more than 73,000 loans. According to the HOPE NOW statement, the fact that non-HAMP workouts outnumbered HAMP modifications two to one is proof that the industry is exploring a wide range of solutions to keep borrowers in their homes. “While Treasury and other government sponsored programs have garnered much attention, much of the servicers’ hard work has gone unnoticed. Our new data set is proof that the industry continues to aggressively find solutions for borrowers facing default,” said Faith Schwartz, executive director of HOPE NOW. Since 2008, 2.6m borrowers received modifications from the HOPE NOW alliance. Write to Jon Prior.