Just curious is Vermont a Mortgage state or a Deed of Trust state, Judicial vs Non-Judicial?  Sounds like maybe some one is just now clearing off their desk.  Could be the original lender was closing their doors and another lender took over cleaning up their mess.

I've seen Assignments recorded after foreclosures or about the same time of the Sheriff's Deed or the Trustee's Deed.  Trying to fix the Mortgage chain especially in Judicial States where the foreclosure has to go through the court system.  Seen Judges throw Foreclosure cases out when the lender doesn't have a recorded Assignment to them so then they have no standing.