NMLS Call Report Changes Delayed

Mortgage Daily, June 13, 2018Implementation of planned changes to reporting requirements for the Nationwide Multi-State Licensing System have been delayed.

Lenders Remain Pessimistic about Demand, Profits

Mortgage News Daily, June 13, 2018–Jann SwansonLast week the Mortgage Bankers Association said that independent mortgage bankers had reported negative production revenue in the first quarter of this year. This week Fannie Mae reminded us that lenders have long expected it to happen.

OCC’s Otting in Congressional Hot Seat: 6 Takeaways

American Banker, June 13, 2018–Rachel Witkowski (subscription)Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting vowed he was moving ahead on major regulatory changes related to small-dollar lending and whether fintechs should be allowed to enter the banking system.

High Cost of Housing Drives up Homeless Rates, UCLA Study Indicates

Los Angeles Times, June 13, 2018–Andrew KhouriIn the latest UCLA Anderson Forecast, UCLA found that higher median rent and home prices are strongly correlated with more people living on the streets or in shelters. The research backs other studies that have found a similar relationship.

Susan Stewart of SWBC Mortgage Nominated as MBA Vice Chair

National Mortgage Professional, June 12, 2018The Mortgage Bankers Association announced Susan T. Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of SWBC Mortgage, has been nominated to serve as Vice Chairman for the 2019 membership year.

Credit Availability Climbs to Three-Month High in May

Mortgage News Daily, June 12, 2018–Jann SwansonAn increase availability of high balance loans helped drive the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Mortgage Credit Availability Index to a three-month high in May. MBA said the Index rose 1.5 percent to 180.6.

SEC Charges Merril Lynch for Overcharging Customers for Mortgage-Backed Securities

MarketWatch, June 12, 2018–Andrea RiquierThe Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday announced that Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. will pay more than $15 million to settle charges that its employees misled customers, causing them to overpay for residential mortgage-backed securities.

Senate Panel Advances Fed Nominations, Including Clarida as Vice Chairman

Wall Street Journal, June 12, 2018–Nick Timiraos (subscription)The Senate Banking Committee approved the nominations of two of President Donald Trump’s picks for the Federal Reserve’s board of governors Tuesday, including economist Richard Clarida to become its vice chairman.

Mortgage Lenders Struggle as Demand for Mainstream Loans Falter

National Mortgage News, June 12, 2018–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)Just 41% of lenders experienced government loan growth from purchases in the second quarter, according to Fannie Mae’s Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey.