The Lede

Mortgage Professional America, Jan. 8, 2018--Francis MonfortOriginations in the commercial and multifamily mortgage segment are expected to be strong in 2018, with some top firms looking to increase activity, according to an MBA Newslink report on the 2018 CREF Outlook Survey released by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Washington Post, Jan. 8, 2018--Kathy OrtonThe Mortgage Bankers Association predicts mortgage rates will become more volatile in the coming year now that the Federal Reserve is winding down its balance sheet.

Fox Business, Jan. 8, 2018--Brittany De LeaThe housing market could be on the verge of a shake-up, as well-established credit scoring requirements are being reevaluated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, potentially opening up the mortgage market to a greater number of aspiring homeowners.

American Banker, Jan. 8, 2018--Joseph A. Smith Jr. (subscription)The author, former North Carolina Banking Commissioner, says the Federal Housing Finance Agency would be wise to stay with established and tested credit scoring methods, expanding them slowly and in light of market knowledge built over decades.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 8, 2018--Elina Tarkazikis (subscription)The widening credit score gap between the average consumer and homebuyer reflects better consumer awareness of how credit scores work contrasted against growing uncertainty about what it takes to qualify for a mortgage that's keeping many would-be homeowners on the sidelines.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 8, 2018--Brian Collins (subscription)The IRS has taken corrective actions to speed up its income verification system, avoiding a possibly crippling slowdown for the mortgage industry.

HousingWire, Jan. 8, 2018--Kelsey RamirezCitiMortgage announced Monday agreements with two digital technology platforms to offer its new single digital platform for its clients.

Bloomberg, Jan. 8, 2018--Peter JeffreyNew York City took a double hit in an annual survey of real estate investors, which saw London overtake it in first place globally and Los Angeles tie it for top U.S. city.

Mortgage Daily, Jan. 8, 2018The offering is for mortgage servicing rights on 12,115 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac single-family loans that had an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $3.005 billion as of Nov. 30.

HousingWire, Jan. 8, 2018--Caroline BasileDuring the weekend, the mortgage finance industry was saddened to learn the loss of Laurie Maggiano, an industry leader who served as the servicing and secondary markets program manager for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

HousingWire, Jan. 8, 2018--Ben LaneIn a release, the companies say that the combined company will service 115 lenders with more than 15,000 loan officers across all platforms.

Mortgage Daily, Jan. 8, 2018--Sam GarciaWhile industry-wide annual mortgage originations are forecasted to retreat again, there are some lenders that are driving up loan volume.

The Mortgage Bankers Association is accepting applications until this Wednesday, Jan. 10 for the second annual Commercial/Multifamily Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Awards.