The Lede

Reuters, Feb. 5, 2018--Patrick RuckerConsumer advocates on Monday urged the Trump administration to resume an investigation into how Equifax failed to protect the personal data of millions of consumers after Reuters reported the head of the U.S. consumer watchdog has pulled back on the existing probe.

Forbes, Feb. 5, 2018--Ross GarciaAs we enter 2018, the world of finance is ripe with new technology and online efficiencies, ultimately saving us time and effort. And then there's the mortgage industry, which is ripe for disruption.

Wall Street Journal, Feb. 5, 2018--Rachel Louise Ensign, Christina Rexrode, Coulter Jones (subscription)The number of branches in the U.S. shrank by more than 1,700 in the 12 months ended in June 2017, the biggest decline on record, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of federal data.

Wall Street Journal, Feb. 5, 2018--Nick Timiraos, Peter Nicholas (subscription)Republican economist Lawrence Lindsey has withdrawn from consideration for the post of Federal Reserve vice chairman.

Reuters, Feb. 5, 2018--Lucia MutikaniU.S. services sector activity raced to a near 12-1/2-year high in January, buoyed by robust growth in new orders, the latest sign of strong momentum in the economy at the start of the year.

National Real Estate Investor, Feb. 5, 2018--Bendix AndersonOccupancy rates for single-family rental houses are remaining largely flat. A strong economy is driving demand, but rents are not growing as quickly as they used to.

Mortgage Daily, Feb. 5, 2018A New Jersey loan officer is accused of altering his own personal banks statements to use for prospective borrowers on more than 20 government-insured mortgages.

Mortgage Daily, Feb. 5, 2018When Dorinda Smith, who was with SunTrust for 22 years, retires on March 31, Todd Chamberlain will become the executive vice president and head of mortgage at SunTrust.

CNBC, Feb 5, 2018--Lauren ThomasDepartment store chain Bon-Ton filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and will explore strategic alternatives including a sale of the company. The retailer is in the midst of closing more than 40 stores across the U.S.

Scotsman Guide, Feb. 6, 2018--Victor WhitmanA draft of a much-anticipated housing-finance reform bill was recently leaked to the media. On Monday, Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO David Stevens, CMB, discussed the bill and its chances.

Forbes, Feb. 5, 2018--Samantha SharfQuicken Loans' Super Bowl was well-reviewed. But the big news in the 60-second spot was easy to miss: Quicken Loans is now America's largest mortgage lender.

MBA Education presents a webinar, Top 10 Quality Control Errors Made in Loan Production, on Tuesday, Mar. 15 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET.

MBA Education presents its School of Mortgage Banking Course I. Upcoming sessions take place Feb. 13-16 in Washington, D.C. and Apr. 10-13 in Salt Lake City, Utah.