Category: Top National News

HousingWire, Dec. 29, 2017–Ben LaneThanks to the new agreement between the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the Treasury, each of the GSEs withheld billions from the Treasury to ensure that each has enough capital on hand to “cover other fluctuations in income in the normal course of each Enterprise’s business.”

Dallas Morning News, Dec. 29, 2017–Todd J. GillmanOf the eight Texas congressmen retiring in 2018, Dallas Rep. Jeb Hensarling is among the ones going out on top. He’s reportedly on a shortlist to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — an opportunity to defang an agency he’s spent years trying to kill off.

Mortgage Daily, Dec. 28, 2017On Thursday, Tokyo-based SoftBank Group Corp. announced that it has completed the acquisition of Fortress Investment Group LLC.

Denver Post, Dec. 29, 2017–Danika WorthingtonThe company, which describes itself as a “Christian-based company,” announced it updated its insurance policies to cover same-sex spouses as it settled the lawsuit with a former employee.

Washington Post, Dec. 21, 2017–Kathy OrtonMeanwhile, with rates ascending, mortgage applications retreated again last week, according to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

National Mortgage Professional, Dec. 21, 2017–Phil HallThe Mortgage Bankers Association Opens Doors Foundation has announced it raised a record $1.8 million in calendar year 2017, furthering its mission to help families meet their housing costs while dealing with a critically ill or injured child receiving medical treatment.

Wall Street Journal, Dec. 21, 2017–Nick Timiraos, Andrew Ackerman (subscription)Mortgage-finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will retain some of their quarterly earnings as part of an agreement between the Trump administration and their regulator to allow the companies to build a small buffer against future operating losses.

National Mortgage News, Dec. 21, 2017–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)The tax bill Congress sent to President Trump’s desk this week is likely to prompt at least a short-term spike in mortgage rates, according to Freddie Mac.

HousingWire, Dec. 21, 2017–Kelsey RamirezHome price increases picked up the pace once again in October, especially in the Pacific region, according to the latest House Price Index from the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Bloomberg, Dec. 21, 2017–Jesse HamiltonA decision by the Office of the Compotroller of the Currency to keep government examiners inside banks is drawing criticism from Senate Democrats, who said it will make watchdogs more likely to sympathize with finance executives they are responsible for policing.