The Lede

Reuters, July 21, 2017--Sruthi Shankar, Diptendu LahiriWeak refinancing, thanks to higher interest rates, took a bite out off regional banks' earnings in the second quarter and loan growth remained sluggish, mirroring trends seen at larger banks. "With the decline in volume, we are seeing vigorous competition for the loans that are getting done, and profit margins have narrowed for all lenders," said MBA Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni.

HousingWire, July 21, 2017--Kelsey RamirezFifth Third Bank released its second quarter earnings report which showed while its residential mortgage lending is up from last year, it is less profitable.

Wall Street Journal, July 21, 2017--Ryan Dezember, Laura Kusisto (subscription)Big investors transform suburban neighborhoods by buying up single-family homes and renting them out.

National Mortgage News, July 21, 2017--Brian Collins (subscription)House Financial Services Committee leaders and two top real estate trade groups have cut a deal on a bill to reform the National Flood Insurance Program, which will add momentum to the legislation.

National Mortgage News, July 21, 2017--Andy Peters (subscription)SunTrust Banks in Atlanta reported an improvement in quarterly earnings despite a steep decline in mortgage banking activity.

HousingWire, July 21, 2017--Jacob Gaffney[Friday was] the 7th anniversary of Dodd-Frank and the 6th anniversary of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. And here's where we are: The big banks are still wearing blinders. And here's the proof.

National Mortgage News, July 21, 2017--Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Bank of America kept 90% of its second-quarter mortgage production in portfolio, an unusually large amount compared with the typical practices of other commercial banks.

HousingWire, July 21, 2017--Kelsey RamirezAs the GSEs seek to ease access to credit and allow more homebuyers into the market, Urban Institute pointed out one change that could allow nearly 100,000 new homebuyers to qualify for a mortgage each year.

Mortgage Daily, July 21, 2017Mortgage banking economists have improved their outlook for loan originations during the current quarter.

Mortgage Daily, July 21, 2017The federal government has negotiated a settlement with a man who is accused of abusing the federally insured reverse mortgage program.

New York Post, July 23, 2017--Nicole GelinasFor nearly 80 years, Washington has subsidized homeownership--creating massive distortions both in house prices and in what neighborhoods look like. Now the feds will subsidize rental homes as well - expanding government control over even more of the economy.

UExpress, July 21, 2017--Lew SichelmanAccording to research from HomesUSA.com, the prices would-be buyers find at the job site are often higher than they are on the website, or on the builder's post in the multiple listing service. In one case, says HomesUSA President Ben Caballero, the difference was a striking $100,000.