Housing and the Holidays

Leadership during times of economic opaqueness, scary events and political drama can lack efficacy. What worked in the past is a poor roadmap into the future–whack-a-mole urgency will widen the gaps between enterprises. Innovation and automation may be the only certainties over the next 18 months.

MBA Letter Supports Self-Employed Mortgage Access Legislation

Ahead of an anticipated vote this week in the House Financial Services Committee, the Mortgage Bankers Association yesterday sent a letter of support for legislation that would help ensure fair access to mortgage credit for households with “non-traditional” forms of income.

MBA Advocacy Update

Last Friday, MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, attended a White House meeting chaired by HUD Secretary Ben Carson and attended by other senior administration officials and key industry stakeholders to discuss housing affordability. And on Monday, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced it is seeking comment on pooling practices for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities market.

CSBS License Renewal Period Underway; Deadline Dec. 31

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors announced the start of the license renewal period for individuals and businesses that provide mortgage, money transmission, debt collection and consumer financial services to consumers. These individuals and businesses are required to maintain and renew licensure through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System.

MBA Chart of the Week: CPI Inflation–Shelter Costs

Housing affordability challenges–for both buying and renting–continue to be a topic of discussion. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, shelter costs continue to outpace the price growth of overall goods and services, as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

The Week Ahead

A busy month continues for the Mortgage Bankers Association, with several reports coming in the next two weeks.