The Lede

Washington Post, July 12, 2018--Kathy OrtonAccording to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average ticked up to 4.53 percent with an average 0.4 point. It was its first increase in three weeks. (MBA mention)

CNBC, July 12, 2018--Diana OlickThe supply of homes for sale in the second quarter--the all-important spring market--rose at three times the rate of last year. Historically, prices lag sales by a few months, and sales have been slowing this year in most major markets.

Scotsman Guide, July 12, 2018--Victor WhitmanMortgage applications for new-home purchases were down in June, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

National Mortgage News, July 12, 2018--Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may be forced to take draws from the U.S. Treasury again, this time due to an accounting rules change for loan-loss reserves.

HousingWire, July 12, 2018--Kelsey RamirezThe Senate Banking Committee held a hearing Thursday morning in which senators on both sides of the aisle expressed their concern over the current credit reporting system.

HousingWire, July 12, 2018--Ben LaneEarlier this week, new FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery told a group of reporters that there likely won't be a cut to the FHA's mortgage insurance premiums this year, due to the health of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, the FHA's flagship insurance fund. And according to Montgomery, the agency is not planning on making any changes to its life of loan policy this year, either.

Bloomberg, July 12, 2018--Prashant GopalGot a million bucks to spend on a new home? Good. Just don't expect a palace. The starting price for the most expensive 5 percent of U.S. residential properties sold in April was at least $1 million in more than half the luxury markets.

Mortgage Daily, July 12, 2018Mortgage servicing rights on less than $200 million in government-sponsored enterprise loans with a three-state concentration are being marketed for sale to the highest bidder.

Mortgage Daily, July 12, 2018--Sam GarciaMobile applications for banks and mortgage companies have ascended to new heights thanks to other technologies like crowd sourcing, digital concierge services and artificial intelligence.

Reuters, July 12, 2018--Elizabeth DiltsA decade on big U.S. banks are still running down and selling off crisis-era mortgages, a process executives point to as weighing on loan growth.

Wall Street Journal, July 13, 2018--Justin Lahart (subscription)The demise of many small builders has given big ones more power--one reason new-home sales have stayed low.

UExpress, July 13, 2018--Lew SichelmanMortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac helped "save" more than 68,000 borrowers from foreclosure in this year's first quarter by modifying their loans so the payments are more affordable. But according to another report from a well-respected real estate analyst, you sometimes can't even help those you've already helped.

National Real Estate Investor, July 12, 2018--Michael Hogue When the temporary exemptions on steel and aluminum tariffs granted to Canada, Mexico and the European Union expired on May 31, 2018, the commercial development industry found itself faced with a sudden and dramatic increase in construction costs.

Academy Award winning actor Geena Davis keynotes the mPower Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Mortgage Bankers Association's Annual Convention & Expo in Washington, D.C.

The Mortgage Bankers Association is accepting nominations for its annual residential Diversity and Inclusion Awards, to be presented at the MBA Annual Convention & Expo in October. Nomination deadline is Friday, July 27.

MBA Education presents its popular School of Mortgage Banking Course I this summer in Arlington, Va.; Atlanta; and Dallas.

Academy Award winning actor Geena Davis keynotes the mPower Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Mortgage Bankers Association's Annual Convention & Expo in Washington, D.C.

Academy Award winning actor Geena Davis keynotes the mPower Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Mortgage Bankers Association's Annual Convention & Expo in Washington, D.C.