Category: Top National News

American Banker, Sept. 3, 2018–Hannah Long (subscription)A decade later, nothing about the federal takeover of the mortgage giants seems temporary. It is the status quo. Efforts for comprehensive housing finance reform keep getting derailed, leaving many to wonder if it will take a disruptive event–a sudden change in political power, another crisis or something else–to force policymakers to set the GSEs on a permanent path forward.

Reuters, Aug. 31, 2018–Lucia MutikaniU.S. consumer sentiment fell to a seven-month low in August as households worried about rising prices amid a robust economy and tensions between the United States and its main trade partners.

Washington Post, Aug. 30, 2018–Kathy OrtonAccording to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average moved higher for the first time in nearly a month, rising to 4.52 percent with an average 0.5 point. It was 4.51 percent a week ago and 3.82 percent a year ago. (MBA mention)

Bloomberg, Aug. 30, 2018–Oshrat CarmielThe days when Manhattan homes practically sold themselves are over. Now, buyers fearful of overpaying are on the sidelines, and sellers and their brokers are looking for ways to coax them off.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 30, 2018The Mortgage Bankers Association presented the rankings as part of its Commercial/Multifamily Real Estate Mortgage Servicer Rankings Mid-Year 2018.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 31, 2018–Sam GarciaA host of offerings that utilize artificial intelligence to help mortgage firms become more efficient, cut costs and reduce risk have been recently launched. But there are some caveats.

HousingWire, Aug. 30, 2018–Ben LaneReis currently provides analysis and forecasts for 275 metropolitan markets and 7,700 submarkets in multifamily, affordable housing, office, retail, student housing and senior housing.

American Banker, Aug. 30, 2018–Rachel Witkowski (subscription)How to modernize the Community Reinvestment Act has long triggered intense debate and disagreement among all the parties as banks favor expanding CRA assessment areas and consumer groups worry that a broad expansion would simply make it easier for banks to score high CRA grades.

Reuters, Aug. 30, 2018–Lucia MutikaniU.S. consumer spending increased solidly in July, pointing to strong economic growth early in the third quarter, while a measure of underlying inflation hit the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target for the third time this year.

CNBC, Aug. 19, 2018–Diana OlickTotal mortgage application volume decreased 1.7 percent last week and was 15 percent lower than a year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted report.