The Lede

Washington Post, Dec. 14, 2017--Kathy OrtonMortgage applications retreated last week, according to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage Professional America, Dec. 14, 2017--Francis MonfortVolume of mortgage applications for new-home purchases showed signs of continued recovery in November, according to Builder Applications Survey data for November released by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage Daily, Dec. 14, 2017--Sam GarciaDuring the first quarter of next year, 30 mortgage-related events are listed on the Mortgage Daily Mortgage Industry Conference Calendar.

Mortgage Daily, Dec. 14, 2017PHH was investigated by the New York Department of Financial Services and found to have failed to maintain a property in New Lebanon, New York, for at least 238 days from the time the property was registered in the DFS registry.

Bloomberg, Dec. 15, 2017--Joe LightA plan being developed by Republican Bob Corker of Tennessee and Democrat Mark Warner of Virginia would lower barriers to entry by removing some advantages Fannie and Freddie now possess. "If you want to eliminate too-big-to-fail, you need to have enough guarantors that you'd really let one fail in the event of a downturn," said Mortgage Bankers Association President David Stevens.

National Mortgage News, Dec. 14, 2017--Glenn McCullom (subscription)The mortgage market had already priced the Federal Open Market Committee's 25-basis-point hike into its rates so there was little change, according to Freddie Mac.

HousingWire, Dec. 14, 2017--Ben LaneUnder the terms of a definitive agreement between Guaranteed Rate and an affiliate of Thomas H. Lee Partners, THL will make a "material capital and strategic investment" in Guaranteed Rate.

Reuters, Dec. 14, 2017--Lucia MutikaniU.S. retail sales increased more than expected in November as the holiday shopping season got off to a brisk start, pointing to sustained strength in the economy that could pave the way for further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes next year.

The Mortgage Bankers Association has begun enrollment for its 2018 Servicing Operations Study and Forum (covering 2017 data).

MBA Education presents a three-part webinar series, Implementing Cultural Change in Your Sales Group, on December 5, 12 and 19.