Mortgage Professional America, Oct. 16, 2017–Francis MonfortMortgage applications for new-home purchases recorded a year-over-year decline in September, reflecting the effects of the recent hurricanes, according to the Builder Applications Survey released by the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Category: Top National News

Dodd-Frank Reform Effort Grinds on Slowly
Scotsman Guide, Oct. 16, 2017–Victor WhitmanThe Trump administration appears committed to significantly unwinding many of the rules imposed on banks and Wall Street after the recession. Earlier this month, the U.S. Treasury published its second major report on Dodd-Frank, this time making a number of recommendations to loosen rules on Wall Street.

Mortgage Startups Blur Lines Between Old and New Capital Strategies
National Mortgage News, Oct. 16, 2017–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)Marketplace lending is, in many respects, an evolution of the privately funded mortgage market, which has co-existed with mainstream lenders without posing much threat for years.

Wells Fargo to Pay $3.4 Million over Investment Sales Practices
HousingWire, Oct. 16, 2017–Brena SwansonThe Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ordered Wells Fargo Clearing Services and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network to pay more than $3.4 million in restitution to affected customers over faulty sales practices.

Kushners’ Control of Family’s NYC Crown Jewel Is Now in Jeopardy
Bloomberg, Oct. 16, 2017–David Kocieniewski, Caleb MelbyAn ambitious plan by Jared Kushner’s family to recast its indebted Fifth Avenue office building as a luxury architectural trophy is collapsing, setting off a chain of events that may imperil the Kushners’ ownership of a property central to their real estate empire.

Foreclosure Timelines Hit New High as Foreclosure Activity Drops to 11-Year Low
Mortgage Orb, Oct. 16, 2017–Patrick BarnardWith legacy foreclosures dwindling and delinquencies now near pre-crisis lows, it would make sense if foreclosure timelines were shortening, but apparently that’s not the case, according to the most recent quarterly foreclosure report from ATTOM Data Solutions.

Mortgage Business Expands at First Republic Bank
Mortgage Daily, Oct. 16, 2017The San Francisco-based organization said in its third-quarter earnings report that income before the provision for income taxes was $242 million in the three months ended Sept. 30.

1st Bank Failure in 5 Months
Mortgage Daily, Oct. 16, 2017The Office of the State Bank Commissioner of Kansas on Friday seized control of The Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Argonia and shut it down.

California Wildfire Victims are Eligible for Mortgage and Tax Relief
CNBC, Oct. 16, 2017–Lori KonishFannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Internal Revenue Service separately issued guidance on Friday for those affected by the blazes that began a week ago.

Nation’s Top Lenders Reveal Their Secrets to Success
HousingWire, Oct. 16, 2017–Kelsey RamirezHere’s what some of the top mortgage lenders say were the main drivers of their growth, and what they will be focusing on going forward.