Volume 24 Issue 247

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Unemployment Rate Rises; Industry Economists Weigh in on Latest Jobs Data

The delayed report released Dec. 16 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed 64,000 jobs were added in November, with the unemployment rate up slightly to 4.6%.

MBA Sends Letter to House Financial Services Leadership on Housing Package

The Mortgage Bankers Association sent a letter to House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill (R-AR) and Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA) ahead of a markup on the bipartisan housing package.

ATTOM: Home Flipping ROI, Activity Drop

ATTOM, Irvine, Calif., released its analysis of home flipping in the third quarter, finding that 72,217 single-family homes and condos were flipped in the period. That accounts for 6.8% of home sales.

Mortgage Applications Decrease in Latest MBA Weekly Survey

Mortgage applications decreased 3.8% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending Dec. 12, 2025.

MBA VIDEOS

MBA Eye on Washington

MBA Research Minute

MBA Now: John McMullen, Adam DeSanctis Discuss MBA’s Advocacy on Condominium Lending

Maria Shriver on Finding Your Purpose: An mPower Moments Interview

View in Browser >

TOP NATIONAL NEWS

MBA Seeks Credit Score Threshold for Tri-Merge at GSEs
Feds Raise Appraisal Exemption for Higher-Priced Mortgages
Foreclosures Starts, Re-defaults Inch Up at Banks: OCC
Soft Jobs Data Boost Odds of January Fed Cut

UPCOMING EVENTS AND NEWS

Supporting the Seamless Exchange of Title Orders Using MISMO’s Dataset Specification, Jan. 20
MBA State and Local Workshop, Apr. 13-14, 2026

Credit Score Innovation is Redefining the Industry (Sponsored by Equifax)

A competitive credit scoring environment, leveraging alternative data like rental and utility payments, creates an expanded pool of eligible consumers.

December 16, 2025

MISMO Hires Amy Moses as Vice President of Strategic Growth

https://newslink.mba.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/amy-moses-head-shot-cropped-copy.jpg

MISMO, the real estate finance industry's standards organization, announced that Amy Moses will assume the role of vice president of strategic growth. In this role, Moses will lead MISMO’s growth and revenue strategy, drive expanded industry engagement, and cultivate strategic partnerships that advance adoption and impact of MISMO standards across the mortgage ecosystem.

December 16, 2025

Dealmaker: Draper & Kramer Commercial Finance Group Closes $54M for Chicago Hotel Acquisition

https://newslink.mba.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CFG-Westin-Michigan-Avenue-copy-2.jpg

Draper & Kramer Commercial Finance Group, Chicago, arranged a $54 million loan on behalf of Vinayaka Hospitality for the acquisition of the Westin Michigan Avenue.

December 16, 2025

MBA: November New Home Purchase Mortgage Applications Increased 3.1%

https://newslink.mba.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/MBA-News-Graphic-100-120.png

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for November 2025 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased 3.1% from a year ago. Compared to October 2025, applications decreased by 7%. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.

December 15, 2025

NewsLink Q&A With KBRA: 2026 U.S. CMBS Outlook

MBA NewsLink recently interviewed Kroll Bond Rating Agency’s Larry Kay and Aryansh Agrawal about their 2026 commercial mortgage-backed securities outlook.

December 16, 2025

Perks Marketplace: A New Benefit for MBA Members

https://newslink.mba.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PerksLogo-100-120.png

Your Mortgage Bankers Association membership gets you access to discounts and offerings on our exclusive benefits platform, Perks Marketplace.

December 15, 2025

Fannie Mae Updates HomeStyle Renovation Program; Lowers Completion Threshold

In another win for lenders and borrowers, Fannie Mae recently updated the HomeStyle Renovation mortgage program by improving upfront disbursement flexibility, allowing lenders to release up to 50% of renovation funds at closing.

CLICK HERE FOR PRIOR ARTICLES

ABOUT MBA NEWSLINK

MBA NewsLink, a daily electronic publication, is a member benefit free to employees of MBA member companies, and available by paid subscription to non-members. For membership information click here

If this email has been forwarded to you, please visit our website to subscribe.

The links at the end of each abstract are to the publisher, publication, or article. Some links may require registration or subscription

One Voice. One Vision. One Resource. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is the national association representing the entire real estate finance industry. For more information visit us at our website.
President and CEO: Robert Broeksmit, CMB
Publisher: Marcia Davies, Chief Operating Officer
Chief Administrative Officer: Peter Grace
Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Marketing: John Mechem
Editor: Michael Tucker | 202/557-2851
Editorial Manager: Anneliese Mahoney | 202/557-2938
Senior Advertising & Editorial Specialist: Emani Curry | 202/557-2774
Advertising Opportunities: Bill Farmakis | 203/834-8832