The Lede

Washington Post, Jan. 4, 2018--Kathy OrtonAccording to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average fell to 3.95 percent with an average 0.5 point. (Points are fees paid to a lender equal to 1 percent of the loan amount.) It was 3.99 percent a week ago and 4.20 percent a year ago.

National Mortgage Professional Magazine, Jan. 4, 2018--Phil HallOriginators in the commercial and multifamily mortgage space are looking ahead into the next 12 months with expectations for another strong year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's 2018 CREF Outlook Survey.

NewsChannel 10 (N.M.), Jan. 4, 2018--Jacob HelkerWestern Mortgage, an unlicensed mortgage lender, says they will stop originating home loans to satisfy an agreement with the New Mexico Office of Attorney General.

HousingWire, Jan. 4, 2018--Kelsey RamirezEmployment growth could surge to add 250,000 new jobs in December and shows no signs of slowing anytime soon, according to the ADP and Moody's Analytics National Employment Report.

Mortgage Daily, Jan. 4, 2018Taking over as chief executive is Ron Millard, who originally joined Envoy in 2016 as executive vice president of strategic initiatives from Ron Walden, who announced his retirement.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 4, 2018--Kate Berry (subsciption)Sen. Sherrod Brown, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, is calling on the Trump administration to support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's enforcement action against PHH Corp., which agreed Wednesday to a $45 million settlement for foreclosure abuses.

Mortgage Daily, Jan. 4, 2018Last year's issuance of private-label residential mortgage-backed securities was more than double 2016's level. Further growth is expected this year.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 4, 2018--Brian Collins (subscription)The recently enacted tax reform bill is likely to reshape sections of the housing industry, including encouraging more consumers to rent instead of buy and tamp down the rapid rise in home prices.

HousingWire, Jan. 4, 2018--Ben LaneIn a move that prominent Democrats and fair housing experts are calling disastrous for the AFFH rule, HUD plans to announce Friday that it is delaying the deadline for local governments to submit their fair housing evaluations by one year.

Bloomberg, Jan. 4, 2018--Claire BostonA wave of store closings and retailer bankruptcies is coming in early 2018, as the industry deteriorates faster than analysts had expected a year ago, according to Credit Suisse Group AG.