The Lede

National Mortgage News, Feb. 10, 2017--Brian CollinsA regulatory proposal to allow banks and other mortgage lenders to accept private flood insurance on residential and commercial properties does not go far enough, according to industry groups.

New York Times, Feb. 10, 2017--Conor DoughertyThe virtues of homeownership are so ingrained in the American psyche that we often forget that housing is also a source of economic stress.

Wall Street Journal, Feb. 12, 2017--Keiko MorrisMore tech, advertising and media firms are leaving Manhattan and moving across the river, tempted by lower office rents and shorter commutes for workers.

Meriden Record-Journal (Conn.), Feb. 13, 2017--Mary Ellen GodinThe premium reduction was made as former President Barack Obama left office but was reversed by the Trump administration so that the proposal's impact on FHA's mortgage insurance funds could be reviewed. But some real estate agents and mortgage originators say the fund is healthy enough to offer a reduction.

UExpress.com, Feb. 10, 2017--Lew SichelmanThere are downsides to "pick me" letters for both buyers and sellers.

Detroit News, Feb. 13, 2017--Jennifer ChambersBoth sides will appear before U.S. District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith, first for a hearing on Quicken's request to dismiss the case. Then, if necessary, both sides will go over a schedule of court dates leading to an April 11, 2019, trial date in the contentious case.

Mortgage Daily, Feb. 10, 2017In what appears to be a case of disparate impact, users of Windows and Android operating systems pay higher mortgage rates than Apple users.

HousingWire, Feb. 12, 2017--Ben LaneA new report from the Urban Institute suggests that it's actually more difficult to get a mortgage now than it was before the crisis.

Seattle Times, Feb. 10, 2017A federal jury in Seattle ordered Zillow to pay $8.3 million after finding the Seattle company infringed on copyrights of VHT Inc. on its Zillow Digs website.

USA Today, Feb. 10, 2017--Kevin McCoyFormer AIG CEO and chairman Maurice "Hank" Greenberg agreed to a $9.9 million settlement Friday in a New York corporate fraud case, ending a nearly 12-year court battle by the prominent insurance industry executive.

Politico, Feb. 9, 2017--Lorraine WoellertVice President Mike Pence has hired Mark Calabria, a libertarian advocate of free markets, as his chief economist. Calabria was director of financial regulation studies at the Cato Institute.

Detroit Free Press, Feb. 10, 2017--J.C. ReindlMortgage giant Quickens Loans announced several changes to top management, including replacement of longtime Chief Executive Officer Bill Emerson with company president Jay Farner. Emerson, who began as chief executive in 2002, is now vice chairman of Rock Holdings, which is Quicken Loans' parent company.

Mortgage Daily, Feb. 10, 2017For the second week in a row, new residential lending activity accelerated, with government business out front during the most-recent seven-day period.

HousingWire, Feb. 10, 2017--Ben LaneThe companies first announced the deal back in September, and after some financial due diligence, the deal is now complete.

National Mortgage News, Feb. 10, 2017--Jacob PassyMortgage insurer Essent Group reported higher net income for the fourth quarter, as premium growth offset a modest uptick in expenses.

National Mortgage Professional, Feb. 10, 2017--Phil HallAn analysis of the new report would suggest that the CFPB is presenting an opaque view of how the mortgage industry deals with its customers.

Wall Street Journal, Feb. 10, 2017--Ryan TracyDaniel Tarullo, the Federal Reserve's regulatory point man since 2009, will resign this spring, the central bank said Friday. The resignation gives President Trump a new opening to reshape banking regulation.

Builder Magazine, Feb. 10, 2017Oakwood created Nest Home Lending to give its customers a preferred lender that provides incentives, a smooth mortgage process and on-time closings.

Houston Chronicle, Feb. 10, 2017--Dylan BaddourRising mortgage rates will be the main driver for the housing market in 2017, according to a survey of real estate experts.

Dallas News, Feb. 10, 2017--Steve BrownTwo Dallas commercial real estate firms, Pierson Retail Advisors and the Vitorino Group, are joining forces. The companies have sold a total of almost $3 billion in real estate and expect to expand their sales volume with the combination.

New York Times, Feb. 10, 2017--Conor DoughertySuppose there were a way to pump up the economy, reduce inequality and put an end to destructive housing bubbles like the one that contributed to the Great Recession. The idea would be simple, but not easy, requiring a wholesale reframing of the United States economy and housing market.

MBA Education and the MBA Compliance Essentials program present their popular HMDA Implementation Workshop on Wednesday, Mar. 29 from 8:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m. CT at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

MBA Education hosts a conference call on Ginnie Mae Acknowledgment Agreement/Collateralized Lending this Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. ET. MBA members can register for free.