Category: Top National News

Wall Street Journal, Aug. 9, 2017–Robyn Friedman (subscription)Borrowers used to closing on a mortgage in a conference room surrounded by other parties to the transaction may soon be in for a pleasant surprise. The ink-free, paper-free, meeting-free remote mortgage closing is finally here.

National Mortgage News, Aug. 9, 2017–Elina Tarkazikis The mortgage delinquency rate reached its lowest point in nearly a decade in May due to tighter underwriting, according to CoreLogic. Also improving mortgage performance were employment growth and rising home prices.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 9, 2017–Sam GarciaWhile some mortgage acquisitions have recently closed, one fell through just hours before it was supposed to be consummated. One company that was set to close down is back in business.

GoRion.com, Aug. 9, 2017–Sam Bourgi By numbers alone, millennials represent a huge opportunity for the mortgage industry. At the same time, they present unique challenges for lenders that have yet to make significant investments in technology.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 9, 2017–Laura LaydenThe Lake Michigan Credit Union has announced plans to acquire Naples, Florida-based Encore Bank.

National Mortgage News, Aug. 8, 2017–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)PHH Corp. will pay the Justice Department $75 million to settle a False Claims Act investigation of its underwriting practices on mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Wall Street Journal, Aug. 8, 2017–Esther Fung (subscription)Last week, the top mall operators delivered a blunt message to short sellers and naysayers who had expected more gloom for landlords in the bricks-and-mortar retail business: Don’t count us out just yet.

Wall Street Journal, Aug. 8, 2017–Esther Fung (subscription)The pressure for speedy online package delivery is prompting companies to look for distribution facilities closer to residential areas or highways. Some of the best locations, it turns out, are dead malls.

Charlotte Business Journal, Aug 8, 2017–Hilary Burns (subscription) Movement Mortgage CEO Casey Crawford bought a bank. He spent the last nine years building his Charlotte-based mortgage bank, which currently employs over 4,000 people. Now he’s hoping to build a national online retail bank to give consumers–especially Millennials–another option.

Washington Post, Aug. 8, 2017–Alex HortonCan you buy a city street? Is that even possible?