The Lede

DS News, Nov. 28, 2017--David WhartonThe Senate Banking Committee approved Brian Montgomery's nomination as FHA Commissioner on Tuesday, sending his name to the full Senate for approval.

National Mortgage News, Nov. 28, 2017--Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)Servicers may need to pay taxes on their income upfront under the proposed Senate tax bill, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association and the Consumer Mortgage Coalition.

Forbes, Nov. 28, 2017--TrefisWells Fargo joined its smaller rival U.S. Bancorp to report a sequential improvement in its total mortgage servicing portfolio for the third quarter, making this the first time in more than four years that two of the nation's five largest banks bucked the industry-wide trend of quarter-on-quarter declines in this figure.

Chicago Tribune, Nov. 28, 2017--Kenneth R. HarneyA recent survey of banks and mortgage companies by giant investor Fannie Mae found that a record number of lenders report that they have relaxed at least some requirements for mortgage clients.

Wall Street Journal, Nov. 28, 2017--Peter Grant (subscription)Analysts worry that rehabilitation of older projects could grind to a halt if lucrative tax breaks are removed.

HousingWire, Nov. 28, 2017--Ben LaneThe Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Tuesday that it is increasing the conforming loan limits from $424,100 to $453,100 for 2018.

Bloomberg, Nov. 28, 2017--Erik WassonThe Senate Budget Committee sent Republicans' massive tax-cut bill to the full Senate for a marathon debate and vote as early as Thursday -- a major step toward getting a plan enacted by the end of this year.

Mortgage Daily, Nov. 28, 2017In a filing Monday with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, FGMC indicated that it is eliminating 82 jobs in Frederick, Md.

The Hill, Nov. 28, 2017--Sylvan LaneA federal judge on Tuesday rejected a lawsuit from an official who claims that she, and not President Trump appointee Mick Mulvaney, is the rightful director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Mortgage Daily, Nov. 28, 2017New business came in higher during the third quarter at loanDepot LLC, which also reported an increase for both its loan servicing portfolio and staffing.

HousingWire, Nov. 28, 2017--Ben LaneThe Fed announced a consent order against Peoples Bank, claiming that the bank's mortgage origination business engaged in "deceptive residential mortgage origination practices" by falsely telling borrowers that they could lower their interest rate by paying an upfront fee, ordering the Kansas-based bank to pay $2.8 million.

Wall Street Journal, Nov. 29, 2017--Gretchen Morgenson, Emily Glazer (subscription)A federal regulator has advised Wells Fargo & Co.'s board of directors that it is weighing a formal enforcement action against the bank over improprieties in its auto-insurance and mortgage operations.

Wall Street Journal, Nov. 29, 2017--Ryan Tracy (subscription)The Trump administration doesn't plan to recommend stripping regulators of their power to seize and unwind a failing financial firm in a crisis, according to people familiar with the matter, a development likely to make defenders of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial law breathe a sigh of relief.

National Mortgage News, Nov. 28, 2017--Kate Berry (subscription)The events even have a hashtag: #CFPBdebacle.

Bloomberg, Nov. 29, 2017--Patrick ClarkThe shortage of listings that has defined the U.S. home sales market in recent years will begin to ease in the second half of 2018, according to a new report, but not before setting a record for consecutive months of decline.

National Real Estate Investor, Nov. 28, 2017--Donna MitchellReal estate investment trust sector experts say the attention the retail sector is now receiving is long overdue.

The Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO) welcomed 32 new members in 2017.

MBA Compliance Essentials and MBA Education present a timely webinar, CFPB Leadership and the Impact on Real Estate Finance, today, Nov. 29, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET.