The Lede

Builder, Feb. 28, 2017--Brian CroceWith rates at a low point for a while now, homeowners have had ample time to refinance their mortgages if they were inclined to do so. With that in mind Mike Fratantoni, chief economist for the Mortgage Bankers Association, is expecting a large decline--47%--in refinance volume this year. "For those who have focused more on the refi business, it's going to be a tougher year," he says.

Denver Post, Feb. 28, 2017--Aldo SvaldiColorado is among 11 states where home values have risen so sharply that new mortgages carry an elevated level of risk, according to a report from Fitch Ratings.

HousingWire, Feb. 28, 2017--Jacob GaffneyIn a 10-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, Radian reports that its federal mortgage insurance competition is growing.

National Mortgage News, Feb. 28, 2017--Brian Collins (subscription)With mortgage rates and housing prices both expected to go up this spring, lenders are facing a tough decision on how they will adjust to the decline in refinancings and overall lending volumes.

National Mortgage News, Feb. 28, 2017--Rob Blackwell (subscription)Bankers are continuing to see President Trump as a net positive for the financial services industry, according to a new poll from SourceMedia Research.

HousingWire, Feb. 28, 2017--Ben LaneIn a deal that will shake up the single-family rental industry, Tricon Capital Group announced this week that it plans to acquire Silver Bay Realty Trust in a $1.4 billion deal that will create one of the country's largest operators of single-family rental homes.

Reuters, Feb. 28, 2017--Lucia MutikaniThe U.S. economy expanded at a slower pace in the fourth quarter, as previously reported, and appeared to remain on a moderate growth path as President Donald Trump took office with a promise to reinvigorate manufacturing and protect jobs.

Mortgage Daily, Feb. 28, 2017Freddie Mac said U.S. mortgage bankers are expected to generate $335 billion in residential loan production during the first-three months of this year.

Mortgage Daily, Feb. 28, 2017--Sam GarciaThe Department of Veterans Affairs said it is continuing its policy of requiring a copy of the agreement or sales contract be provided to the appraiser.

Mortgage Daily, Feb. 28, 2017An increase in the volume of cashout originations is creating more risk for mortgage investors, said Moody's Investors Service.

Wall Street Journal, Feb. 28, 2017--Michael S. Derby (subscription)The Federal Reserve will be carefully considering whether to raise short-term interest rates at its meeting in two weeks, two top officials suggested Tuesday, reinforcing recent similar messages from other members of the central bank.

National Mortgage News, Feb. 28, 2017--Andy Peters (subscription)Wells Fargo said it plans to hire scores of minority salespeople, step up lobbying for policies to boost homeownership and form community partnerships to accelerate mortgage lending to black consumers.