Trump Says Yellen, Cohn Both in Running to Be Fed Chair

Bloomberg, July 25, 2017–Craig TorresPresident Donald Trump said he had a “lot of respect for” Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and she was still in the running to remain at the helm of the U.S. central bank, while indicating that White House aide Gary Cohn was also a top contender for the position.

Need a Mortgage? Now May Be a Good Time to Apply

Washington Post, July 25, 2017–Kenneth R. HarneySo what does it take to get approved for a mortgage to buy a house this summer, whether you’re a first-timer or planning to move up or downsize? Maybe not all that you think.

Atlantic Bay Mortgage, Virginia Community Bank to Merge

Hampton Roads (Va.) Business Journal, July 25, 2017–Briana AdhikusumaUnder the unanimous agreement between Virginia Community Bank’s board of directors and the manager and members of Atlantic Bay, the bank’s holding company will be terminated and will be managed as the Atlantic Bay Bank.

America’s Hottest Properties: Data Centers and Cell Towers

Wall Street Journal, July 25, 2017–Esther Fung (subscription)As more people consume digital content and make purchases online, landlords and owners of data centers and cell towers that house cables and beam data to smartphones are looking to expand faster.

Ex-LendingQB Exec Asks Court to Dissolve Tech Vendor MeridianLink

National Mortgage News, July 25, 2017–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Binh Dang, the co-founder and former president of LendingQB, is seeking a court to force MeridianLink, the loan origination system’s parent company, to dissolve.

House Revokes New CFPB Arbitration Rule

HousingWire, July 25, 2017–Brena SwansonThe House passed a “resolution of disapproval” to revoke a controversial new rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that bans companies from using mandatory arbitration clauses.

Waterstone Ordered to Pay LOs $7 Million

Mortgage Daily, July 25, 2017–Lisa D. BurdenWaterstone Mortgage Corp. has been ordered by an arbitrator to pay current and former loan officers over $7 million in unpaid wages and overtime. But it will appeal the decision.

Caliber’s Lending, Servicing and Staffing Grow

Mortgage Daily, July 25, 2017Caliber Home Loans Inc. reported growth in its residential loan originations, mortgage servicing portfolio and human resource assets.

Why It Can Be So Difficult To Get A Mortgage When You Are Self-Employed

Forbes, July 24, 2017–Mark GreeneThe reason it is seemingly so hard to get a mortgage approved when you are self-employed is actually twofold. First, the document-gathering-discovery-phase is especially rigorous and second, the evidence requirements have so many more moving parts and potential land mines.