The Lede

Washington Post, Jan. 21, 2016--Orton, Kathy Turmoil in global markets has been good for mortgage rates. China's slowdown and cratering oil prices have created volatility in the markets and spurred investors to flee to safety in government bonds.

Business Insider, Jan. 21, 2016--Ro, Sam The Fed raised short-term interest rates in December. Interestingly, long-term interest rates have come down since then.

Realtor.com, Jan. 21, 2016--Birk, Chris The VA backed a record 631,151 loans in fiscal year 2015, eclipsing the previous high-water mark set just two years prior. VA loans have had the lowest foreclosure rate of all loan types for 25 of the past 28 quarters, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

HousingWire, Jan. 21, 2016--Swanson, Brena The bank recently announced it would no longer offer retail residential mortgage loans to consumers since new residential mortgages weren't generating enough business.

HousingWire, Jan. 21, 2016--Lane, Ben New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced Thursday that his office is nominating Maria Vullo to serve as the superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services, ending a tumultuous period that saw rumors of tension between the governor's office and the NYDFS surrounding the departure of the Anthony Albanese as acting superintendent of New York's top financial regulator.

24/7 Wall Street, Jan. 21, 2016--Lange, Chris The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Ocwen Financial Corp. agreed to settle charges that it misstated financial results by using a flawed, undisclosed methodology to value its complex mortgage assets.

Business Insider, Jan. 21, 2016--Udland, Myles Manufacturing activity contracted less than expected in January according to the latest survey from the Philadelphia Federal Reserve.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 21, 2016--Morath, Eric The number of U.S. workers filing applications for jobless benefits has edged up early this year, suggesting a slightly increased number of layoffs even though the overall level remains consistent with steady job creation.

DS News, Jan. 21, 2016--Honea, Brian The number of homeowners in the United States with negative equity, or are "underwater," is about one-third of what it was during its peak reached in 2010, and single-family mortgage debt outstanding is on the rise.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 21, 2016--Fairless, Tom; Hilsenrath, Jon Amid tumbling oil prices, unstable stock markets and slow growth in developing economies, central banks face pressure to keep interest rates low or even expand easy-money policies.

The Mortgage Bankers Association's Research and Economics Department announces a new Whole Loan Trading Workshop, taking place on Jan. 28 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Mortgage Bankers Association's annual State and Local Workshop takes place Apr. 11-12 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.