Category: Top National News

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 7, 2017Compared to a year earlier, employment in the mortgage industry has expanded. But as quarter-over-quarter headcount was down, some signs point to an increase in layoffs for the sector.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 7, 2017Weekly mortgage business maintained the pace of the previous seven-day period. Increased refinance activity was offset by lower demand for loans to finance a residential property purchase.

Washington Post, Aug. 3, 2017–Kathy Orton”It was an up and down time for rates last week in response to mixed economic news coupled with the Fed’s FOMC statement,” said Joel Kan, an MBA economist. “The statement outlined a mostly healthy outlook, with a slight concern over inflation and the news that balance sheet reduction could begin ‘relatively soon.’ As a result, mortgage rates were flat to slightly higher last week.”

National Mortgage Professional, Aug. 3, 2017–Phil HallThe Mortgage Bankers Association reported its Mortgage Credit Availability Index rose by 0.3 percent to 179.0 in July. Three of the four component indices took an upswing last month.

MarketWatch, Aug. 3, 2017–Andrea RiquierFresh language in the earnings releases reflects the desire of the regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to remind Congress of how precarious the state of affairs has become for the two. But it also serves as a reminder of how far the companies have come since their crisis-era bailout, not thanks to Congressional action, but in spite of its inaction.

Wall Street Journal, Aug. 3, 2017–Josh Barbanel (subscription)Manhattan luxury-apartment sales have been stuck in the doldrums this summer, particularly units in flashy new developments.

HousingWire, Aug. 3, 2017–Brena SwansonA new report from S&P Global Market Intelligence suggested that mortgage servicing companies may be poised for a turn toward stability and growth thanks to the regulatory controls put in place after the downturn.

HousingWire, Aug. 3, 2017–Jacob GaffneyWhile the industry as a whole is rowing in the same direction, efforts to streamline the appraisal process, Timothy Mayopoulous said, is a step in the right direction for Fannie Mae, which earlier this year refined its appraisal policies, which reduced overall appraiser responsibilities.

Bloomberg, Aug. 3, 2017–Sarah MulhollandWith store closures accelerating, landlords are having to change course and find ways to create malleable space that can accommodate a revolving roster of tenants.

Reuters, Aug. 3, 2017–Richard LeongFannie Mae, the largest U.S. mortgage guarantor, said on Thursday its net income edged up to $3.2 billion in the second quarter from the previous quarter’s $2.8 billion due to higher credit-related income and investment gains.