The Lede

Mortgage Professional America, Jan. 30, 2018--Francis MonfortMortgage interest rates may approach 5% by the end of 2019 and exceed 5% in 2019 and beyond, according to Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni.

Tribune News Service, Jan. 30, 2018--Stephen KoffFrom the lips of President Trump to the computer keyboard of his budget director, Mick Mulvaney, leading Republicans have now personally blamed one Obama appointee--Richard Cordray--for representing so much of what they are trying to change.

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 30, 2018--Laura Kusisto (subscription)The U.S. homeownership rate rose in 2017 for the first time in 13 years as young households overcame significant hurdles to purchase homes in growing numbers and one of the deepest wounds from the housing crisis began to heal.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 30, 2018--John Heltman (subscription)During a Senate Banking Committee hearing, Mnuchin said reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is a top priority of the Trump administration. While he declined to spell out many details of the administration's views, he said keeping the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is essential and that requires backing by a government guarantee.

CQ News, Jan. 30, 2018--Doug Sword (subscription)Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin endorsed easing financial regulation for banks with less than $250 billion in assets and overhauling the nation's housing finance system during testimony Tuesday before the Senate Banking Committee.

Bloomberg, Jan. 30, 2018--Matthew BoeslerFollowing a surge in the number of Americans forming households as renters over the past decade in lieu of homeownership, the tide is starting to turn in the other direction.

Mortgage Daily, Jan. 30, 2018Allegations of unfair servicing and foreclosure practices in Massachusetts have been resolved by Nationstar Mortgage LLC through a multi-million-dollar settlement.

HousingWire, Jan. 30, 2018--Caroline BasileDaniel Pinto and Gordon Smith have been appointed co-presidents and co-chief operating officers of JPMorgan Chase.

Washington Post, Jan. 30, 2018--Michele LernerAfter losing multiple bidding wars as a first-time home buyer, Vishal Garg decided to start Better Mortgage, an online-only direct lender, to streamline the home financing process.