HousingWire, Aug. 17, 2020–Alex RohaSingle-family housing authorizations rose 6.43% month-over-month in July – a sign that housing activity is advancing in the face of the ongoing pandemic, according to a …
Category: Top National News
Mortgage Bankers Seek Permanent Licensing Changes for Remote Work
National Mortgage News, Aug. 17, 2020–Bonnie Sinnock (subsicription)The Mortgage Bankers Association is exploring whether state regulators would be willing to give licensed origination professionals such as underwriters, processors and closers …
MBA: Second-Quarter Mortgage Delinquency Rate Highest in Nine Years
MortgageOrb, Aug. 17, 2020–Michael BatesAccording to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s National Delinquency Survey, the delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties increased to a seasonally adjusted rate of …
More Industry Groups Express Outrage at New GSE Refi Fee
Mortage Professional America, Aug. 17, 2020–Ryan SmithMore industry groups – and even the White House – have joined the chorus of condemnation following the FHFA’s surprise announcement last week that …
Nearly 1,000 New Hotels Are Still Opening During the Pandemic. Why?
Bloomberg, Aug. 17, 2020–Sara ClemenceThe new White Water hotel on California’s central coast has a lot going for it: a location on a moonstone-studded beach, generously sized rooms, and Scandinavian-inspired …
Home Depot Braced for Covid Pain—Then Americans Remodeled
Wall Street Journal, Aug. 16, 2020–Sarah Nassauer (subscription)After lobbying to be open, the big box scrambled to meet demand. Old benchmarks don’t apply, says CEO Craig Menear: ‘None of that …
California’s ‘Mini-CFPB’ is Back in Play. Banks Aren’t Happy
American Banker, Aug. 14, 2020–Kate Berry (subscription)A proposal to expand consumer protections in the state was added to a budget bill after being dropped in June. Financial institutions say the …
Lawmakers Want Inquiry into Report that OCC Halted Redlining Probes
National Mortgage News, Aug. 14, 2020–Neil Haggerty (subscription)Senate Democrats asked a watchdog to examine whether the bank regulator failed to investigate claims of discrimination against at least six banks.https://www.nationalmortgagenews.com/news/lawmakers-want-inquiry-into-report-that-occ-halted-redlining-probes
Want to Refinance Your Home Loan with Record-Low Rates? Get Ready for a Hefty Fee
NPR, Aug. 15, 2020–Chris ArnoldStarting next month, all home mortgages that are refinanced will have to pay half of 1% of the loan. In other words, $1,500 for a $300,000 …
Can U.S. Retail Sector’s ‘V-Shaped’ Rebound Jump the Fiscal Cliff?
Reuters, Aug. 14, 2020–Howard SchneiderEven with nearly a fifth of the labor force collecting unemployment benefits in July, Americans continued spending with relative gusto, driving retail sales back to pre-coronavirus …