The Lede

American Banker, Mar. 14, 2018--David StevensMBA President and CEO rebuts a recent op-ed calling for recapitalization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, asserting such a strategy would "decimate the ability of community banks and smaller lenders to participate in the secondary mortgage market."

Politico, Mar. 14, 2018--Ben WhiteLarry Kudlow will be the next director of the National Economic Council, succeeding Gary Cohn as President Donald Trump's top economic adviser.

CNBC, Mar. 14, 2018--Diana OlickInterest rates for home loans have risen each week this year, so each week homeowners have had less incentive refinance their mortgages. Another drop in refinances last week kept mortgage application volume basically unchanged, up just 0.9 percent seasonally adjusted, from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Washington Post, Mar. 14, 2018--Kenneth R. HarneyA key policy change by mortgage giant Fannie Mae that offered homeownership to thousands of new buyers--many of them minorities--could face significant cutbacks. The reason: Private mortgage insurers are rethinking their decisions to participate.

HousingWire, Mar. 14, 2018--Mat IshibaUnited Wholesle Mortgage CEO says to compare today's housing and mortgage industry to what it was in the height of the housing crisis, and to report that non-banks have lower standards than banks, is "highly irresponsible and flat-out wrong."

National Mortgage News, Mar. 14, 2018--Brian Collins (subscription)A mortgage program created by a 2015 partnership between the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and Ginnie Mae recently crossed a milestone with over $1 billion in government-backed mortgages securitized through the venture, the partnership announced Wednesday.

Reuters, Mar. 14, 2018--Lucia MutikaniU.S. retail sales fell for a third straight month in February as households cut back on purchases of motor vehicles and other big-ticket items, prompting analysts to downgrade their first-quarter economic growth forecasts.

National Real Estate Investor, Mar. 14, 2018--Mary DiduchThe spread between the cap rates used by Moody's Investors Services, Morningstar Credit Ratings and S&P Global Ratings on conduit loans and the market is widening.

Mortgage Daily, Mar. 14, 2018Earnings swung to a loss at Impac Mortgage Holdings Inc., and the company's chief, Joseph Tompkinson, announced he will leave July 31.

Washington Post, Mar. 14, 2018--Tracy JanThe mortgage industry says the proposed deregulation would cut costs and help smaller community banks remain competitive, enabling them to make even more loans. The Mortgage Bankers Association estimates that expanded data would still be collected on 95 percent of loans.

HousingWire, Mar. 14, 2018--Ben LaneUnder the legislation, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would be renamed the Financial Product Safety Commission and would led by five commissioners, instead of one director as it is today.

Bloomberg, Mar. 15, 2018--Oshrat CarmielRents fell from a year earlier for the third consecutive month in February as landlords competed for tenants in a market that's overflowing with choices. Owners cut an average of 2.4 percent off their asking prices, then sweetened deals with incentives, such as rent-free months, on 48 percent of new leases, Miller Samuel and Elliman said.

Washington Post, Mar. 14, 2018--Abha BhattaraiToy store chain Toys R Us is planning to sell or close all 800 of its U.S. stores, affecting as many as 33,000 jobs as the company winds down its operations after six decades.

MISMO presents its Implementation Framework Cast Study Part II instructor-guided online course Mar. 20-23.