The Lede

CNBC, Jan. 6, 2015--Olick, Diana Total mortgage applications slid 27 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week that ended Friday, compared with two weeks earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Washington Post, Jan. 6, 2016--Harney, Kenneth R. The biggest players in the mortgage field are under pressure from federal regulators and Congress to adopt more-inclusive and updated credit-scoring models that incorporate non-banking forms of credit, such as rent, utilities and cellphone payments to supplement what's in consumers' standard credit files.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 6, 2015--Sussman, Anna Louise The U.S. trade deficit narrowed in November as both imports and exports fell to their lowest levels in years, highlighting a slowdown in global commerce amid low commodity prices, weak overseas demand and shifting currencies.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 6, 2015--Hilsenrath, Jon Federal Reserve officials expressed glimmers of trepidation as they decided at a mid-December policy meeting to raise short-term U.S. interest rates after keeping them near zero for seven years.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 6, 2016--Berry, Kate More aggressive nonbank lenders are attracting top producers by essentially allowing loan officers to set their own rate of pay. While so-called "pick-a-pay" compensation plans are not illegal, critics say they can encourage loan officers to steer consumers into more expensive loans in order to increase their own pay.

HousingWire, Jan. 6, 2016--Lane, Ben While the exact purchase price still remains unknown, a release from Monroe Capital, a provider of senior and junior debt and equity co-investments to middle-market companies, sheds some light on how much it cost American Mortgage Consultants to acquire JCIII & Associates.

Reuters, Jan. 6, 2016--Mutikani, Lucia New orders for U.S. factory goods fell in November and inventories declined for a fifth straight month, the latest indication that economic growth braked sharply in the fourth quarter.

Colorado Springs Business Journal, Jan. 6, 2016--Vader, MarijaThe commercial real estate industry will continue its fast pace into 2016, according to Colorado Springs real estate agents, who attribute the quicker pace of transactions to the local favorable political climate locally.

DS News, Jan. 6, 2016--Honea, Brian Peter Muriungi has been chosen as JPMorgan Chase's new head of Mortgage Servicing to replace Mike Weinbach, who was named CEO of Chase's Mortgage Banking division in December.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 6, 2016--Baer, Justin Morgan Stanley co-President Gregory Fleming, a major figure on Wall Street who had long been considered a candidate to take over the firm, abruptly stepped down Wednesday after another deputy's promotion ended his bid to become chief executive.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 6, 2016--Kusisto, Laura Average effective rents nationwide rose 4.6% in 2015, the biggest gain since before the recession, according to a report by real-estate researcher Reis Inc. The average apartment rent now stands at nearly $1,180, up from about $1,125 a year ago.

Registration is now open for the Mortgage Bankers Association's Commercial Real Estate Finance/Multifamily Housing Convention & Expo, Where Market Makers Meet, taking place Jan. 31-Feb. 3 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.