The Lede

Washington Post, July 27, 2017--Kathy OrtonMichael Fratantoni, Mortgage Bankers Association chief economist, expects the Fed to announce in September that it will begin unwinding its balance sheet in October. He also predicts another rate increase later this year.

CNBC, July 27, 2017--Diana OlickMortgage company customers reported "significant declines" in satisfaction this year after several years of steady improvement, according to a new survey from J.D. Power.

HousingWire, July 27, 2017--Brena SwansonWhile Chicago-based Old Republic International Corp. long pulled away from the mortgage insurance business, it's finding success in its title insurance business, according to the company's latest earnings release.

National Mortgage Professional, July 27, 2017--Phil HallHomeowners who sold their residences in the second quarter realized an average price gain of $51,000 since purchase-the highest average price gain for home sellers since the $57,000 level set in the second quarter of 2007, according to new statistics released by ATTOM Data Solutions.

National Mortgage News, July 27, 2017--Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Arch Capital Group Ltd.'s mortgage insurance business had second-quarter underwriting income of $184 million, up 343% from the $41.4 million for the same period last year.

National Mortgage News, July 27, 2017 (subscription)Detroit isn't the only old industrial city attracting rental landlords at a record clip. Last year, investors accounted for 75% of sales in Flint, Mich., 68% in Gary, Ind., and 51% in Memphis, Tenn.

HousingWire, July 27, 2017--Kelsey RamirezThe Census Bureau report also showed that national vacancy rates for rental housing increased in the second quarter to 7.3%. This is up 0.6 percentage points from 6.7% last year and up 0.3 percentage points from last quarter's 7%.

Bloomberg, July 27, 2017--Max Abelson, Jordyn HolmanWall Street's top bosses have pledged for years to boost diversity in their ranks. But the number of black people at some of the biggest U.S. banks is going in reverse.

Reuters, July 27, 2017--Pete Schroeder, Lindsay DunsmuirRandal Quarles, President Donald Trump's pick for banking oversight at the Federal Reserve, told lawmakers on Thursday he would ensure more transparency around how the central bank scrutinizes major lenders' preparedness for crisis in its annual stress tests.

Mortgage Daily, July 27, 2017According to a statement, AFR Loan Center, the wholesaler's origination portal, is being integrated into Amazon's "intelligent personal digital assistant."

Mortgage Daily, July 27, 2017Freddie Mac has improved its outlook for industry-wide single-family lending this year and next year by $140 billion. A majority of the increase went to home purchase financing.

RESPA News, July 27, 2017 (subscription)When TRID initially became effective Oct. 1, 2015, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray repeatedly stated that the bureau's examinations would be "diagnostic and corrective" as opposed to "punitive." Is this still the CFPB's stance?

HousingWire, July 27, 2017--Ben LaneAccording to LendingTree, total loan requests processed by its site grew by 48% in the second quarter compared to the same time period last year, to 5.4 million.

Crain's Chicago Business, July 27, 2017--Steve DanielsFive years ago, InterFirst Mortgage was the 15th largest home lender in the country. Now, it's closed its doors.

National Mortgage News, July 27, 2017--Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Ellie Mae had second-quarter net income of $18.8 million, a 77% increase over the $10.6 million in the same period last year largely due to a tax accounting change.

HousingWire, July 27, 2017--Ben Lane, Brena SwansonFreddie Mac announced this week that it is changing the requirements to its low down mortgage program and will no longer allow lenders to contribute gifts or grants to reach the 3% down payment requirement.

New in today's issue of MBA Insights:  In the latest installment of Direct from Dave, MBA President and CEO David Stevens, CMB, addresses how lenders can improve the minority homeownership rate gap through affordable housing and rental properties.