CNBC, Mar. 15, 2018–Sarah O’BrienThe Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that aims to ease banking regulations, potentially making it easier for consumers to get a mortgage from a community bank or credit union.
Category: Top National News

What to Expect From National Economic Council Under Lawrence Kudlow
Wall Street Journal, Mar. 15, 2018–Nick Timiraos (subscription)Kudlow’s TV background suits him for role as salesman for Trump economic agenda.

HUD: We Need More Funding from Congress for Needed Bureau Updates
HousingWire, Mar. 15, 2018–Kelsey RamirezHUD’s newly appointed Chief Financial Officer Irving Dennis announced Thursday that the agency is seriously lacking in three key areas which he uses to evaluate a company: people, process and technology.

1,000 Cuts to Dodd-Frank: Senate Bill Part of Deregulation Wave
Bloomberg, Mar. 15, 2018–Yalman OnaranSince President Donald Trump signed an executive order last year seeking ways to ease banking rules prompted by the global financial crisis, much has happened–but not much has been completed.

House Will Not Pass Current Senate Bill Easing Bank Rules: Hensarling
Reuters, Mar. 15, 2018–Pete SchroederThe House of Representatives will not approve a bill easing bank rules passed by the Senate without additional provisions that would further relax regulations introduced after the 2007-2009 financial crisis, a leading lawmaker said on Thursday. The comments by Representative Jeb Hensarling, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, inject new uncertainty into Congress’ first bipartisan attempt to rewrite the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law.

Massive Judgment Against Quicken Title Affiliate
Mortgage Daily, Mar. 15, 2018Late Wednesday, an announcement from HouseCanary Inc. indicated that a jury in a lawsuit file by Title Source in 2016 against HouseCanary has awarded it $706 million.

Mortgage Subservicer Hiring Hundreds in Missouri
Mortgage Daily, Mar. 15, 2018Cenlar FSB opened an office in O’Fallon, Missouri. Cenlar is an employee-owned federally chartered wholesale bank.

Competition Intensifies Mortgage Lenders’ Negative Profit Outlook
National Mortgage News, Mar. 15, 2018–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Mortgage lenders are growing more pessimistic about their profitability, with the highest percentage ever seen in Fannie Mae’s first-quarter industry sentiment survey expecting a decline in margins.

Fannie Mae Prepares for DU Update After Flood of High DTI Mortgages in Q4
HousingWire, Mar. 15, 2018–Kelsey RamirezFannie Mae is currently preparing to update its Desktop Underwriter to its newest version, 10.2, after seeing an increase in high debt-to-income mortgages in the fourth quarter.

Why Mid-Rise Buildings Are the Future of Office Investment
National Real Estate Investor, Mar. 15, 2018–Tim LeeMid-rise office assets provide an increasingly cost-effective option for investors and tenants in urban core areas.