The Lede

HousingWire, Feb. 9, 2017--Brena SwansonConsumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray is caught in the crosshairs of one of the biggest battles in Congress, as Democrats run to his aid and Republicans tear him and his agency apart. Despite this rapidly growing controversy, Cordray appears to be conducting business as usual.

Washington Post, Feb. 9, 2017--Kathy OrtonMortgage rates barely budged this week, essentially remaining flat for the third week in a row. Meanwhile, mortgage applications increased last week, according to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The Week, Feb. 9, 2017--Jeff SprossEight years ago, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were supposed to be on their death bed. Yet today, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are still alive and kicking. Which begs the question: To make home ownership widely available, is the government just stuck with this flawed mortgage-financing system?

Wall Street Journal, Feb. 9, 2017--Josh BarbanelSurge in new rental buildings seen to blame for concessions and flattening of rents.

National Mortgage News, Feb. 9, 2017--Jacob PassyRadian Group appointed former CitiMortgage president Richard Thornberry as its new chief executive officer to succeed the retiring S.A. Ibrahim.

Reuters, Feb. 9, 2017--Tom HalsSears Holding Corp. Chairman and CEO Eddie Lampert and the company's board agreed to a $40 million settlement of a shareholder lawsuit that alleged Lampert benefited from a deal to spin off 235 of the struggling chain's best stores.

Mortgage Daily, Feb. 9, 2017As of Jan. 31, there were $1.7865 trillion in Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities outstanding. That marked the biggest book of business ever for the government-owned corporation based on its own historical numbers going back to 1990.

Forbes, Feb. 9, 2017--Ely RazinWhich company is best known for its equity, yet was among the top 10 originators of commercial real estate financing in New York City in the first nine months of 2016 and the top five in Q3?

Reuters, Feb. 9, 2017--Patrick Rucker; Lisa Lambert; Amanda BeckerJeb Hensarling of Texas, the Republican chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said the CFPB could be "functionally terminated" if Congress simply drained the agency's budget.

Reuters, Feb. 9, 2017--Howard SchneiderU.S. interest rates can likely remain low through at least 2017, with no clear sense yet of whether the Trump administration's policies will spark higher inflation or growth, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard said on Thursday.

Bloomberg, Feb. 9, 2017--Sho ChandraApplications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. unexpectedly declined last week to an almost three-month low, echoing a vibrant job market.

Mortgage Daily, Feb. 9, 2017During the final month of last year, there were 22,852 complaints that were filed by U.S. consumers with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

National Mortgage News, Feb. 9, 2017--Jacob PassyNet income rose sharply from a year earlier during the fourth quarter at Stewart Information Services Corp., while it held steady at First American Financial Corp.

National Mortgage News, Feb. 9, 2017--Andy PetersThe rise in home values is good news for homeowners looking to tap the equity in their homes to pay down debt or make big purchases, but some consumer groups fear it could lead to a new wave of loan defaults.

HousingWire, Feb. 9, 2017--Ben LaneIt was another strong year for Ellie Mae, as the company reported Thursday that it saw solid financial results in 2016.

MBA Education presents the next in its webinar series, E-Mortgages: Overview & Considerations, on Tuesday, Feb. 28 from noon-1:30 p.m. ET.

MBA Education host a webinar, Ten Things Your Company Must Do in 2017, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET.

The Mortgage Bankers Association's National Technology in Mortgage Banking Conference & Expo takes place Mar. 26-29 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Early registration deadline is today, Feb. 10.