The Lede

Washington Post, Mar. 3, 2016--Orton, Kathy Encouraging economic data pushed mortgage rates higher for the first time in more than two months this week.

National Mortgage Professional, Mar. 3, 2016--Hall, Phil The uptick in mortgage rates was not shared in the level of available mortgage credit. According to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, the Mortgage Credit Availability Index remained unchanged at 123.8 in February.

Wall Street Journal, Mar. 3, 2016--Martin, Anya Now, you can apply for a jumbo loan while wearing pajamas. More mortgage lenders are offering digital portals in which home buyers can apply for a loan, submit documentation and track the approval progress.

Scotsman Guide, Mar. 3, 2016--Whitman, Victor Delinquency rates on commercial and multifamily mortgages held by the major investor classes generally fell or remained stable in the fourth quarter, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported.

American Banker, Mar. 3, 2016--Berry, Kate Oversight of the four largest mortgage servicers' compliance with the national mortgage settlement is officially over, the watchdog overseeing the process said Thursday.

Reuters, Mar. 3, 2016 Bank of New York Mellon Corp. must face a lawsuit seeking to hold it liable for causing $1.12 billion (£790.7 million) of investor losses by failing to properly monitor five trusts backed by toxic residential mortgages, a Manhattan federal judge ruled.

National Mortgage News, Mar. 3, 2016--Sinnock, Bonnie Ginnie Mae, the agency that insures government loan securitizations could use some more subservicers because it is concerned that so much of its issuance gets outsourced to a small number of players.

HousingWire, Mar. 3, 2016--Wheeler, Sarah A decision by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday could have big implications for a Delaware case where plaintiffs are arguing that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are Delaware corporations and therefore are subject to state, not federal law.

Reuters, Mar. 3, 2016--Mutikani, Lucia The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week, but the underlying trend continued to point to a strengthening labor market.

Wall Street Journal, Mar. 3, 2016--Morath, Eric The Institute for Supply Management said Thursday its gauge of nonmanufacturing businesses fell slightly to 53.4 in February, from January's reading of 53.5.

Wall Street Journal, Mar. 3, 2016--Sparshott, Jeffrey The Labor Department releases its monthly snapshot of the labor market on Friday. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal expect payrolls to post a net gain of 200,000 and the unemployment rate to hold steady at 4.9%.

Boston Globe, Mar. 4, 2016--Fitzgerald, Jay Crowdfunding has mostly been associated with tech startups and inventors, who broadcast a mass appeal for donations that can range from just a few bucks to thousands of dollars. But since Congress passed the 2012 JOBS or Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, there have been about 80 companies trying to expand the world of real estate investing.