National Mortgage News, Feb. 20, 2018–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)Government bond market fluctuations have renewed concerns about rising mortgage rates and may prompt borrowers to take more notice of what mortgage lenders are charging on a local level.
Category: Top National News

Flagstar Bank to Acquire Santandar Bank’s Mortgage Warehouse Loan Portfolio
HousingWire, Feb. 20, 2018–Caroline BasileAs part of the transaction, Flagstar will bring on Santander’s existing relationship managers, adding the employees to its warehouse business. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Ditech Holding Corp. Picks ‘Seasoned Turnaraound Professional’ Jeffrey Baker as New CEO
HousingWire, Feb. 20, 2018–Ben LaneBaker, who also serves as the president of Reverse Mortgage Solutions, replaces Anthony Renzi, who served as the company’s CEO for just over a year.

S.F. Company’s New Idea: Lease Homes to Potential Atlanta Buyers
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Feb. 16, 2018–Michael E. KanellIt’s not a unique idea: leasing a home as a stepping stone to buying it. Still, for some people–who don’t have a lot of savings yet–the idea might make sense, said economist Lynn Fisher of the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Is there a Blockchain in Mortgage Servicing’s Future?
National Mortgage News, Feb. 16, 2018–Elina Tarkazikis (subscription)Servicers continue to face data management challenges, particularly during loan onboarding and transfers. Blockchain technology may hold the key to resolving those issues, said panelists at the recent Mortgage Bankers Association’s National Mortgage Servicing Conference.

Better Mortgage Becomes Billion-Dollar Originator
HousingWire, Feb. 16, 2018–Ben LaneAccording to data provided by the company, Better Mortgage claims it was the third fastest online lender to reach $1 billion in originations, trailing only Goldman Sachs’ Marcus and SoFi.

Jumbo Loans Are New Threat in U.S. Student Debt Market
Wall Street Journal, Feb. 16, 2018–Josh Mitchell (subscription)During the housing boom of the 2000s, jumbo mortgages with very large balances became a flashpoint for a brewing crisis. Now, researchers are zeroing in on a related crack but in the student debt market: very large student loans with balances exceeding $50,000.

Industry Hopes for Revamp of HUD Manufactured Housing Rules
National Mortgage News, Feb. 16, 2018–Brian Collins (subscription)Housing industry advocates are hopeful HUD’s review of its manufactured housing regulations will bring rules more in line with current building trends.

Zero-Down home Loans are Back. Be Very Leery
Washington Post, Feb. 19, 2018–Jill Chodorov KaminskyThe number of zero-down loans issued today are significantly lower than we experienced in the market boom, but lenders still see them as a way to entice people to stay in the market.

U.S. Homebuilding Soars in January; Import Prices Jump
Reuters, Feb. 16, 2018–Lucia MutikaniU.S. homebuilding rose to more than a one-year high in January, boosted by strong increases in the construction of both single- and multi-family housing units, and further gains are likely with building permits surging to their highest level since 2007.