Category: Top National News

American Banker, Mar. 21, 2017–John Heltman (subscription)Banking regulators are calling for a raft of regulatory changes, including streamlining capital, reporting and appraisal rules in order to reduce compliance burden. The agencies detailed their recommendations Tuesday in a report under the Economic Growth and Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act.

Wall Street Journal, Mar. 21, 2017–Esther Fung (subscription)Internet shopping is reshaping the retail landscape and slamming mall operators. But one corner of the industry is thriving: outlet centers.

Mortgage Daily, Mar. 21, 2017It’s been 16 years since the quality of residential loans originated has been as low as it was in the fourth quarter. But higher risk is likely ahead.

New York Times, Mar. 22, 2017–Editorial BoardThe Times’ editorial board says the Trump Administration’s efforts to fire Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray are “weak.”

Reuters, Mar. 21, 2017–Jonathan StempelA federal judge on Tuesday said investors seeking to hold Deutsche Bank AG liable for causing $3.1 billion of losses by failing to properly monitor 10 trusts backed by toxic residential mortgages cannot pursue their claims as a group.

National Mortgage News, Mar. 21, 2017–Ian McKendry (subscription)The Trump administration is developing a set of principles on how to reform the housing finance system that it hopes to release within a few months, said Mark Calabria, chief economist for Vice President Mike Pence.

HousingWire, Mar. 21, 2017–Brena SwansonThe House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations dubbed the hearing The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection’s Unconstitutional Design. But instead of providing their expertise on the CFPB and its constitutionality, the four witnesses were tossed around between House Republicans who profusely thanked them for coming and House Democrats who condemned the hearing entirely.

Crains Cleveland Business/Bloomberg, Mar. 20, 2017Homebuyers may find that the inventory of homes priced where they were hoping will be very limited.

Nasdaq.com, Mar. 20, 2017–Martin TillierThis week–the week after the Federal Reserve’s rate-setting meeting–demands our attention. The Fed does not allow committee members to speak publicly about their feelings on policy for a week and a half or so after the meeting, the so-called “quiet period.”

National Real Estate Investor, Mar. 20, 2017Price increases for U.S. commercial real estate assets have started to moderate in recent months, perhaps as a result of the expectation of rising interest rates.