The Lede

CNBC, Aug. 22, 2018--Diana OlickTotal mortgage application volume rose 4.2 percent last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted report. Volume was still 15 percent lower compared with the same week one year ago.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 22, 2018Net branches are a structure that's long been abandoned as a result of regulatory scrutiny. But one mortgage banking firm is making a go of it again with some huge incentives.

National Mortgage News, Aug. 22, 2018--Elina Tarkazikis (subscription)Better consumer credit quality helped push the serious mortgage delinquency rate to its lowest level since the Great Recession, but originations remain low due to a combination of tighter underwriting standards and eroding homebuyer affordability, according to TransUnion.

HousingWire, Aug. 22, 2018--Ben LaneHUD said Wednesday that it will continue moving forward in its effort to change a controversial Obama-era fair housing rule now that a federal court has struck down a challenge to the Trump administration's moves.

American Banker, Aug. 22, 2018--Victoria Finkle (subscription)Congress checked regulatory relief off its list earlier this year, delivering key reforms to community and regional banks. But now, attention in Washington is beginning to shift to another segment of the industry known more perennially for its lobbying prowess.

Mortgage Daily, Aug. 22, 2018More than a billion dollars in single-family loans that were previously non-performing are being moved from Freddie Mac's balance sheet to a securitized trust.

HousingWire, Aug. 22, 2018--Ben LaneThe Mortgage Bankers Association is now under new leadership.

HousingWire, Aug. 22, 2018--Jacob GaffneyWhat started as a simple announcement early last week that C2 Financial would discontinue offering Quicken Loans' products via its mortgage broker channel escalated quickly in to a war of words between top lenders.

HousingWire, Aug. 22, 2018--Ben LaneIn the wake of being accused of allowing landlords and homeowners to discriminate against prospective renters and buyers, Facebook is making changes to its advertising policies to remove thousands of targeting options that may have been used to engage in discriminatory advertising.

Wall Street Journal, Aug. 22, 2018--Nick Timiraos (subscription)Fed officials held steady their benchmark federal-funds rate in a range between 1.75% and 2% and described the economy as strong in their postmeeting statement.