The Lede
Top National News
Mortgage Rates Level Off After Six-Week Slide
Washington Post, June 13, 2019--Kathy OrtonAfter more than a month of declines, mortgage rates paused their descent ahead of next week's Federal Reserve meeting. (MBA mention)
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U.S. Commercial, Multifamily Mortgage Debt Reaches $3.5 Trillion
World Property Journal, June 13, 2019--Monsef RachidAccording to the Mortgage Bankers Association's latest Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Debt Outstanding quarterly report, the level of commercial/multifamily mortgage debt outstanding in the U.S. rose by $45.4 billion (1.3 percent) in the first quarter.
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WSJ Survey: Most Economists Say Fed’s Next Move Is Rate Cut
Wall Street Journal, June 13, 2019--Kate Davidson (subscription)More than three quarters of economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal expect the Federal Reserve's next move will be to lower interest rates, which most expect to happen by the fall.
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Housing Coalition Addresses CFPB’s Proposed Regulation Change on Data Collection
Mortgage Media, June 13, 2019A coalition of housing groups came together to comment jointly to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding its plans to change regulations about data collection under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, including on its impact to commercial and multifamily loans. (MBA mention)
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House Committee Passes Bill to Make FHA Loans Less Expensive
HousingWire, June 13, 2019--Jessica GuerinThe bill - H.R. 3141, "The FHA Loan Affordability Act of 2019" - would repeal FHA's policy that requires borrowers to pay mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. Instead, payments would cease when the outstanding loan balance reaches 78% of the home's original value.
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Warren Asks If Kushner Got Special Treatment on Freddie Mac Loan
Bloomberg, June 13, 2019--Caleb MelbyPresidential candidate Elizabeth Warren and another Democratic senator are asking whether Kushner Cos. "may have received special treatment" on a U.S.-government-backed loan of about $800 million.
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MBA Launches Affordable Housing Initiative
National Mortgage Professional, June 13, 2019--Phil HallThe Mortgage Bankers Association announced a strategic initiative aimed at creating affordable housing partnerships in the policy and business arenas, with the goal of promoting more sustainable, affordable homes for purchase and rental by underserved people and communities.
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Dark Side of Reverse Mortgage Industry: Predatory Lending Hits Seniors
USA Today, June 13, 2019 (Editorial)The editorial asserts while the concept of allowing seniors to unlock the wealth they have in their homes is sound, the reality is that reverse mortgages add complexity and risk at a time in people's lives when they should be reducing both. "When so many such loans are going into default, it's a clear sign that something is amiss."
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DACA Recipients Ineligible for FHA Loans, Housing Official Says
National Mortgage News, June 13, 2019--Hannah Lang (subscription)HUD issued an opinion that borrowers in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program are ineligible for Federal Housing Administration loans. The ruling, conveyed in a letter by HUD Assistant Secretary Len Wolfson, appeared to contradict recent comments by Secretary Ben Carson, who reportedly told lawmakers at a House hearing, "I'm sure we have plenty of DACA recipients who have FHA-backed loans."
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Fed Publishes Report on what Bankers Want from CRA Reform
American Banker, June 13, 2019--Kate Berry (subscription)The Fed's 24-page summary delves into the major concerns about reforming the Community Reinvestment Act, including updating assessment boundaries, evaluating how banks are tested, and clarifying which activities are eligible for CRA credit.
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