The Lede

Washington Post, Mar. 22, 2018--Kathy OrtonAccording to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average inched up to 4.45 percent with an average 0.5 point. It was 4.44 percent a week ago and 4.23 percent a year ago. (MBA mention)

Washington Post, Mar. 22, 2018--Michele LernerA recent "Retirement and Mortgages" survey by American Financing, a national mortgage banker, found 44 percent of Americans age 60 to 70 have a mortgage when they retire, with as many as 17 percent saying they may never pay it off.

Wall Street Journal, Mar. 22, 2018--Rachel Ensign (subscription)Now that many transactions are done online or through smartphones, cstomers are increasingly choosing national banks.

HousingWire, Mar. 22, 2018--Jason FrazierInvesting in a social media strategy is an all or nothing play if you are in real estate or lending. It is especially important if you are in this business for legacy because brand building takes time.

Bloomberg, Mar. 22, 2018--Brandon KochkodinSun, low taxes--and proximity to Legoland--helped propel Florida cities to the top of the fastest-growing U.S. metro-areas list, the Census Bureau said.

Reuters, Mar. 22, 2018--Lucia MutikaniThough sluggish consumer spending could hold back economic growth in the first quarter the outlook is bright. In another report, the Conference Board said its Leading Economic Index increased 0.6 percent in February after advancing 0.8 percent in January.

Mortgage Profesional America, Mar. 22, 2018--Francis MonfortAlthough millennials are the most likely age group to use technology when applying for mortgages, they are also the generation most likely to seek more interaction with their lenders, according to the 2018 Borrower Insights Survey released by Ellie Mae.

Mortgage Daily, Mar. 22, 2018To fund planned technology investments in the Federal Housing Administration, HUD Secretary Ben Carson proposed a new fee.

Mortgage Daily, Mar. 22, 2018Economists at Freddie Mac raised the outlook for refinances and lowered expected purchase financing for this year, dragging down the overall forecast.

The Hill, Mar. 23, 2018--Jordain CarneySenators voted 65-32 on the measure, well over the simple majority needed to approve it, despite late drama after the bill easily cleared the House on Thursday afternoon. It now goes to the White House where Trump is expected to sign it.

National Mortgage News, Mar. 22, 2018--Kate Berry (subscription)The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking comment on whether it should change any regulations it inherited from other federal agencies.

Slate, Mar. 22, 2018--Henry GrabarOne paradox of the housing affordability crisis in the United States is that one of the most popular ways to create affordable housing is to tax new housing.

MBA Education and the MBA Compliance Essentials program present a new four-part webinar series on Home Mortgage Disclosure Act issues beginning Wednesday, Mar. 28 with 2018 Issues & Considerations.