The Lede

Washington Post, Aug. 29, 2019--Kathy OrtonMortgage rates showed little change this week as investors continued to shy away from mortgage-backed securities. (MBA mention)

HousingWire, Aug. 29, 2019--Kelsey RamirezLenders reported making a profit on mortgages in the second quarter. In fact, according to a report released Thursday by the Mortgage Bankers Association, lenders made the highest profit per loan they've seen since 2016.

Bloomberg, Aug. 29, 2019--Hannah Levitt, Claire BostonLenders thought it was time to shrink their mortgage businesses. Now they're finding they were wrong. With rates for home loans sinking to their lowest levels since late 2016, Wells Fargo & Co., the biggest mortgage lender in the U.S., has boosted staffing for the business by about 10% this year and plans to keep hiring. Bank of America Corp. is hiring in areas including sales, processing and underwriting.

Reuters, Aug. 29, 2019--Jonathan StempelMichael Hild, 44, who was also Live Well's chief executive, generated more than $24 million of compensation tied to the scheme, which ran from September 2015 to May 2019, according to federal prosecutors in Manhattan who announced the charges.

National Mortgage News, Aug. 29, 2019 (subscription)Federal bankruptcy Judge James Garrity Jr. rejected the plan after two days of hearing evidence and arguments earlier this month from lawyers for Ditech and a consumer creditor committee. The committee asserted the company shouldn't be able to sell its businesses if it meant wiping out the ability of homeowners to correct what they say are errors related to their loans.

American Banker, Aug. 29, 2019--Hannah Lang (free article) The mortgage industry will be looking for answers when the Trump administration unveils its plans to shake up the housing finance system and end the conservatorships of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But the blueprints could raise just as many questions. (MBA mention)

Riverside Press-Enterprise (Calif.)., Aug. 29, 2019--Jeff LazersonSpeculation is rampant about where the economy is headed along with matters influencing long-term mortgage rates and overall real estate riches. While lots of ideas are being tossed around, the hottest topics are about the Fed and the presidential election. (MBA mention)

Marketplace, Aug. 29, 2019--Ben BradfordA survey this month from LendingTree found the average closing time has fallen by almost half in the past two years, taking 40 days in 2019, down from 74 days in 2017.

Wall Street Journal, Aug. 30, 2019--David Harrison, Maureen Linke (subscription)The decadelong economic expansion has showered the U.S. with staggering new wealth driven by a booming stock market and rising house prices. But that windfall has passed by many Americans.

The Mortgage Bankers Association's annual Regulatory Compliance Conference takes place Sept. 22-24 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. Early registration deadline is Monday, Aug. 12.

MBA Education presents a special edition of its Advanced Risk Management Concepts Workshop on Sunday, Sept. 15 in conjunction with the MBA Risk Management, Quality Assurance and Fraud Prevention Forum in Chicago.