HousingWire, Sept. 28, 2017–Kelsey RamirezThe Zillow Group Report on Consumer and Housing Trends 2017 shows this new generation now makes up more than 21% of the U.S. population, and is the most ethnically and racially diverse generation in our history. And they are beginning to enter the housing market–as renters.
Category: Top National News

House Passes Flood Insurance Bill, Senate Says No Thanks
National Mortgage News, Sept. 28, 2017–Brian Collins (subscription)The House passed a bill Thursday to make it easier for homeowners to obtain private flood insurance policies not provided directly through the National Flood Insurance Program. But moments later, the Senate declined to move the bill.

More Americans Are Falling Behind on Student Loans, and Nobody Quite Knows Why
Bloomberg, Sept. 28, 2017–Shahien NasiripourMore student debtors are falling behind on their federal student loans, after three years of declines in late payments-and with no clear explanation, experts aren’t sure whether to take it as a sign of distress or a temporary blip.

House Report on CFPB’s Wells Fargo Investigation is No Smoking Gun
American Banker, Sept. 28, 2017–Kate Berry (subscription)A GOP report on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Wells Fargo investigation appears aimed at providing more ammunition for potentially ousting Director Richard Cordray, but its impact will likely be limited, observers say.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the Need for Reform
American Action Forum, Sept. 28, 2017–Meghan MilloyAs Fannie and Freddie move toward zero retained capital and a heightened possibility of another draw on the Treasury, it is more important than ever that real, substantive reforms be made to the GSEs.

Mortgage Servicing, Originations Rise at loanDepot
Mortgage Daily, Sept. 28, 2017The mortgage servicing portfolio grew at loanDepot LLC. Home-lending activity was also up on a quarter-over-quarter basis but down on a year-over-year basis.

Fixed Mortgage Rates Hold, Could Climb
Mortgage Daily, Sept. 28, 2017–Sam GarciaFixed mortgage rates were unchanged this past week, though they could be elevated in the next report. Interest rates on hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages did rise.

Cohn: ‘People Don’t Buy Homes Because of the Mortgage Deduction’
The Hill, Sept 28, 2017–Naomi JagodaWhite House National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn on Thursday pushed back against criticism that Republicans’ tax plan could hurt the real-estate market, saying, “People don’t buy homes because of the mortgage deduction.”

Nomura, RBS Lose Bid to Overturn $839 Million Mortgage Bond Award
Reuters, Sept. 28, 2017–Brendan PiersonThe banks had challenged the 2015 award on multiple grounds, including that the loss of the securities’ value was largely caused not by any false statements, but by the broader financial crisis in 2008.

Ocwen Begins Settling with States to Remove Mortgage Servicing Restrictions
HousingWire, Sept. 28, 2017–Ben LaneAt the core of each consent agreement is a stipulation that Ocwen move its servicing off of the REALServicing platform, its proprietary servicing platform, which is used to process and apply borrower payments, communicate payment information to borrowers and maintain loan balance information.