The Lede

The Hill, Dec. 20, 2017--Naomi Jagoda, Cristina MarcosRepublicans in the House have given final approval to the biggest changes to the tax code in decades, sending the package to President Trump and completing their first big legislative achievement since taking across-the-board control of the government this year.

CNBC, Dec. 20, 2017--Diana OlickSomething spooked homebuyers last week, and it wasn't interest rates, because they fell. Even refinancers retrenched. Total mortgage application volume dropped 4.9 percent from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

HousingWire, Dec. 20, 2017--Ben LaneA recent report from CoreLogic showed that mortgage delinquencies fell this year to the lowest point in more than a decade, but analysts from TransUnion expect mortgage performance to continue improving next year, leading to record lows in mortgage delinquencies.

Mortgage Orb, Dec. 21, Patrick BarnardDuring the Mortgage Bankers Association's Annual Convention & Expo in October, MBA officials made a bold prediction that non-QM lending would double in 2018. That's in part because investor appetite for these loans is growing.

National Mortgage News, Dec. 20, 2017--Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)Updated dynamic and interactive versions of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's redesigned Uniform Residential Loan Application are out.

Mortgage Daily, Dec. 20, 2017Compared to a year ago, average credit scores have declined, average loan-to-value ratios have increased and average debt-to-income ratios have risen, said Ellie Mae.

Scotsman Guide, Dec. 20, 2017--Victor WhitmanLarge lobbying groups, such as the National Association of Home Builders and the Mortgage Bankers Association, which were initially skeptical of the GOP tax-reform plans, both issued statements on Tuesday in support of the tax bill.

HousingWire, Dec. 20, 2017--Jacob GaffneyNow Alexa can make your Quicken Loans Rocket Mortgage payment for you, quickly and securely. And, to be sure, Alexa isn't limited to Prime membership--Quicken customers can use Alexa without Prime membership--however, Amazon's voice recognition services are better realized with a Prime membership.

National Mortgage News, Dec. 20, 2017--Kate Berry (subscription)The lawyer for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Deputy Director Leandra English, who claims she is the rightful acting director, will face off against the Justice Department in a court hearing where key questions about the CFPB's independence and the president's authority to appoint an interim director are sure to be raised.

HousingWIre, Dec. 20, 2017--Kelsey RamirezThe new law reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, the first reduction to the rate in 15 years. Now, due to that reduction, the GSEs will likely need to make a draw from the Treasury for two reasons: zero capital and the GSEs' deferred tax assets.

Mortgage Daily, Dec. 20, 2017Expansion plans for Movement Mortgage LLC's headquarters has the fast-growing company adding hundreds of new employees in the upcoming years.

The Mortgage Bankers Association's annual Mergers & Acquisitions Workshop takes place Jan. 22 at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island in Fernandina Beach, Fla., ahead of the MBA Independent Mortgage Bankers Conference.