The Lede

National Mortgage News, Dec. 12, 2018--Multiple Staff (Free article)Market disruption from Brexit remains relatively contained to Europe and doesn't exert much long-term influence in the U.S., according to Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni.

The Mortgage Leader, Dec. 13, 2018Mortgage Bankers Association Builder Application Survey data shos mortgage applications for new home purchases decreased 11 percent in November compared with the same time period a year ago. Compared to October 2018, applications declined by 14 percent.

Wall Street Journal, Dec. 13, 2018--Kate Davidson (subscription)Private economists tempered their expectations for the path of interest rates next year in a new Wall Street Journal survey, and many foresee the Federal Reserve cutting rates starting in 2020.

HousingWire, Dec. 13, 2018--Ben LaneZillow announced this week that it is expanding its direct buyer program to Riverside, Calif., and Charlotte, N.C.

Washington Post, Dec. 13--Kathy Orton Your 401(k) might not be doing so great these days, but for those looking to buy or refinance a home, the stock market's fluctuations have been a holiday gift. Investors' anxiety is pushing mortgage rates lower.

Orange County Register, Dec. 13, 2018--Jeff LazersonThe former Countrywide CEO appeared at the National Association of Mortgage Brokers convention in Las Vegas.

National Mortgage Professional, Dec. 13, 2018--Phil HallCommercial and multifamily mortgage debt reached a new peak in the third quarter, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

American Banker, Dec. 13, 2018--Neil Haggerty (subscription)Senator-elect Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., will join the panel just as Sens. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., who both lost re-election bids in November, are departing.

The MISMO Winter Summit takes place Jan. 7-11 in Clearwater, Fla.

The Mortgage Bankers Association and MBA Insights are accepting nominations for the MBA Insights 2019 Tech All-Star Awards. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, Jan. 11.

MBA Education presents its School of Mortgage Banking Course III Jan. 22-25 at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Nashville.

The Mortgage Bankers Association presents its annual Mergers & Acquisitions Workshop takes place Monday, Jan. 28 in San Francisco ahead of the MBA Independent Mortgage Bankers Conference.