Category: Top National News

HousingWire, Mar. 14, 2018–Ben LaneUnder the legislation, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would be renamed the Financial Product Safety Commission and would led by five commissioners, instead of one director as it is today.

Bloomberg, Mar. 15, 2018–Oshrat CarmielRents fell from a year earlier for the third consecutive month in February as landlords competed for tenants in a market that’s overflowing with choices. Owners cut an average of 2.4 percent off their asking prices, then sweetened deals with incentives, such as rent-free months, on 48 percent of new leases, Miller Samuel and Elliman said.

Washington Post, Mar. 14, 2018–Abha BhattaraiToy store chain Toys R Us is planning to sell or close all 800 of its U.S. stores, affecting as many as 33,000 jobs as the company winds down its operations after six decades.

National Mortgage News, Mar. 13, 2018–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Loan originations in 2018 are projected to be around $1.6 trillion, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, or $1.7 trillion, according to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That is not a small number.

Scotsman Guide, Mar. 13, 2018–Victor WhitmanMortgage applications for new homes rose again in February after posting a strong pace to begin the year, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported.

CNBC, Mar. 13, 2018–Matthew J. BelvedereNot enough for-sale signs in front yards are driving residential home prices higher, the chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association said Tuesday. Compounding the problem is that Americans’ wage growth is being left far behind, according to the MBA’s Mike Fratantoni.

National Mortgage Professional, Mar. 13, 2018–Phil HallThe rise in mortgage rates could trigger a further evaporation of affordable homeownership options, according to a new data analysis from Zillow.

Wall Street Journal, Mar. 13, 2018–Justin Baer, Ryan Tracy (subscription)Ten years ago Wednesday, that was Bear Stearns Cos., a once-storied firm whose excessive leverage had helped put it on the brink. The Federal Reserve tried to limit the damage with extraordinary actions, first extending the firm credit before forcing it into a hasty weekend shotgun marriage to JPMorgan.

HousingWire, Mar. 13, 2018–Ben LaneThe Financial Services Roundtable and The Clearing House Association are merging, the two groups announced Tuesday. Both groups boast the nation’s largest groups among their members.

Mortgage Daily, Mar. 13, 2018Non-banks lost quarterly market share to financial institutions as a surge in quarterly wholesale lending drove up banks’ share, said Callahan & Associates.