The Lede

Washington Post, Dec. 6, 2018--Kathy OrtonAccording to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average slid to a two-month low of 4.75 percent with an average 0.5 point. It was 4.81 percent a week ago and 3.94 percent a year ago.  (MBA mention)

National Mortgage News, Dec. 6, 2018--Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Mortgage credit available to consumers increased in November by 1.1% from the previous month as lenders offered more conventional products with expanded underwriting criteria, the Mortgage Bankers Association said.

Washington Post, Dec. 6, 2018--Michele Lerner"We're seeing an increasing number of people choose low down-payment loans and take advantage of down-payment assistance programs," said Michael Fratantoni, chief economist for Mortgage Bankers Association. "Lenders are trying to streamline the process for using gift funds for down payments, too, although they're still being very careful to document the source of the money."

National Mortgage Professional, Dec. 6, 2018--Phil HallThe National Flood Insurance Program was extended through Dec. 21 as part of Congress' two-week extension for the federal government's funding deadline.

American Banker, Dec. 6, 2018--Kate Berry (subscription)The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Village Capital & Investment, a nonbank mortgage lender in Henderson, Nev., to issue refunds and pay a fine for allegedly misleading veterans about refinancing their mortgages.

Daily Bulletin (Calif.), Dec. 6, 2018--Jeff LazersonEconomic slowdown storm clouds are here...Look no further than U.S. Treasury rates for more ominous recession signals.

HousingWire, Dec. 6, 2018--Ben LaneWells Fargo will pay more than $17 million to a series of Illinois pension funds after settling with the state over the bank's "misconduct in its marketing and sale of risky residential mortgage-backed securities leading up to the 2008 economic collapse," Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced.

Wall Street Journal, Dec. 6, 2018--Harriet Torry (subscription)The total net worth of U.S. households rose to $109 trillion during the third quarter of 2018, as higher property and stock prices boosted the wealth of Americans.

MBA Education presents its School of Mortgage Servicing instructor-guided online course Mar. 4-14.

The Mortgage Bankers Association's grassroots advocacy arm, the Mortgage Action Alliance, is holding online elections for three at-large seats on its 2019-2020 Steering Committee, through Dec. 11.