The Lede

Washington Post, Aug. 3, 2017--Kathy Orton"It was an up and down time for rates last week in response to mixed economic news coupled with the Fed's FOMC statement," said Joel Kan, an MBA economist. "The statement outlined a mostly healthy outlook, with a slight concern over inflation and the news that balance sheet reduction could begin ‘relatively soon.' As a result, mortgage rates were flat to slightly higher last week."

National Mortgage Professional, Aug. 3, 2017--Phil HallThe Mortgage Bankers Association reported its Mortgage Credit Availability Index rose by 0.3 percent to 179.0 in July. Three of the four component indices took an upswing last month.

MarketWatch, Aug. 3, 2017--Andrea RiquierFresh language in the earnings releases reflects the desire of the regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to remind Congress of how precarious the state of affairs has become for the two. But it also serves as a reminder of how far the companies have come since their crisis-era bailout, not thanks to Congressional action, but in spite of its inaction.

Wall Street Journal, Aug. 3, 2017--Josh Barbanel (subscription)Manhattan luxury-apartment sales have been stuck in the doldrums this summer, particularly units in flashy new developments.

HousingWire, Aug. 3, 2017--Brena SwansonA new report from S&P Global Market Intelligence suggested that mortgage servicing companies may be poised for a turn toward stability and growth thanks to the regulatory controls put in place after the downturn.

HousingWire, Aug. 3, 2017--Jacob GaffneyWhile the industry as a whole is rowing in the same direction, efforts to streamline the appraisal process, Timothy Mayopoulous said, is a step in the right direction for Fannie Mae, which earlier this year refined its appraisal policies, which reduced overall appraiser responsibilities.

Bloomberg, Aug. 3, 2017--Sarah MulhollandWith store closures accelerating, landlords are having to change course and find ways to create malleable space that can accommodate a revolving roster of tenants.

Reuters, Aug. 3, 2017--Richard LeongFannie Mae, the largest U.S. mortgage guarantor, said on Thursday its net income edged up to $3.2 billion in the second quarter from the previous quarter's $2.8 billion due to higher credit-related income and investment gains.

Reuters, Aug. 3, 2017--Lucia MutikaniThe number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week, pointing to a tightening labor market that likely keeps the Federal Reserve on course to announce plans next month to start reducing its massive bond portfolio.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 3, 2017Total U.S. bankruptcies filed, including commercial and non-commercial filings, worked out to 61,366 during July, dropping from an upwardly revised 66,789 the prior month.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 4, 2017PennyMac Financial Services Inc. sees opportunity in mortgage brokers and is about to launch a broker business. Quarterly originations increased as earnings declined.

HousingWire, Aug. 3, 2017--Caroline BasileThe Mortgage Bankers Association has announced the promotion of two current staffers and the planned departure of vice president and regulatory counsel Ken Markison.

Los Angeles Times, Aug. 4, 2017--Andrew KhouriChanges in the mortgage industry are afoot, with the goal of loosening some of the strict standards established after the subprime crisis--rules some blame for impeding sales.

National Mortgage News, Aug. 3, 2017--Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Fannie Mae continues to experiment with various forms of credit risk transfers to strike a balance between offering a product that's attractive to investors and a cost-effective way to reduce risk.

HousingWire, Aug. 3, 2017--Ben LaneOcwen Financial could soon get a big boost in its fight against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from a once-unlikely source--the Department of Justice.

The MISMO Fall Summit takes place Sept. 25-29 in Crystal City, Va., just outside Washington, D.C.

MBA Education presents Management Essentials for the Mortgage Professional at MBA headquarters in Washington, D.C., Sept. 26-29.