HousingWire, Feb. 24, 2017–Ben LaneIf Fannie and Freddie reform does take place, one of the beneficiaries could be private capital, which has been largely absent from the mortgage market since the crisis.
Category: Top National News

President Trump Signs another Executive Order to Slash Regulation
HousingWire, Feb. 24, 2017–Brena SwansonThe order directs federal agencies to make “regulatory reform” task forces, which will evaluate federal rules and recommend whether to keep, repeal or change them.

Americans Haven’t Been This Optimistic About the Job Market in Over 30 Years
Bloomberg, Feb. 24, 2017–Jordan YadooThe largest share of Americans in decades believes the labor market still has room to grow.

U.S. New Home Sales Rebound; Consumer Sentiment Dips
Reuters, Feb. 24, 2017–Lucia MutikaniNew U.S. single-family home sales rose less than expected in January, likely held back by heavy rains and flooding in California, but continued to point to a strengthening housing market despite higher prices and mortgage rates.

Share Your Equity? Be Careful
UExpress, Feb. 24, 2017–Lew SichelmanRising mortgage rates and higher prices are likely to bring an increase in a concept known as equity sharing, especially for first-time buyers who are short on money for the down payment and closing costs.

Impac Originations Tumble, Could Plunge in Q1
Mortgage Daily, Feb. 24, 2017Quarterly home lending sank by over a fourth at Impac Mortgage Holdings Inc. and is likely plunging during the current quarter.

Waning Refinances Drive Up Mortgage Fraud Risk
Mortgage Daily, Feb. 24, 2017First American Financial Corp., which reported the index Friday, noted that it was the second consecutive month-over-month increase.

Former Executives of Big Mortgage Firms Recruited
Mortgage Daily, Feb. 24, 2017–Sam GarciaDan Hanson is the new chief retail production officer at loanDepot LLC.

Ocwen Sets Aside $12.5M for Potential CFPB Settlement
National Mortgage News, Feb. 24, 2017–Jacob Passy (subscription)Ocwen Financial Corp. has reserved $12.5 million to put toward a potential settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

MBA/CREF Round-Up: Green Lending Is on the Rise, Tax Reform’s Gonna Hurt
Commercial Observer, Feb. 23, 2017–Cathy CunninghamNeither mahogany nor burgundy were the buzzed about color at the Mortgage Bankers Association’s 2017 CREF/Multifamily Housing Convention & Expo in San Diego, however–the focus was firmly on green.