The Lede

Wolf Street, May 26, 2018--Wolf RichterAs rates are rising, homebuyers are trying to lock in current rates before they rise further, and demand for mortgages continues to be strong. (MBA mention)

Wall Street Journal, May 25, 2018--Nick Timiraos (subscription)An erosion of public trust in institutions could threaten the independence of central banks and requires greater transparency and accountability from policy makers following the 2008 financial crisis, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said Friday.

National Mortgage Professional, May 25, 2018--Phil HallNational median home values recorded an 8.7 percent increase in April to $215,600, according to new data from Zillow. This represents the fastest rise in home values in June 2006, when they were appreciating at an annualized rate of nine percent.

National Mortgage News, May 25, 2018--Kate Berry (subscription)On the one hand, acting Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Mick Mulvaney's comments that he wants to ease Home Mortgage Disclosure Act requirements imposed by his predecessor is welcome news. But on the other, more data helps lenders know how they stack up to the competition, and lenders may end up collecting the data anyway.

HousingWire, May 25, 2018--Alcynna LloydAlthough homebuyers struggle with affordability and low supply, a healthy economy and strong consumer confidence are expected to lead to an increase of sales, according to Freddie Mac's newly released monthly outlook for May.

Mortgage Daily, May 25, 2018Not only did the mortgage servicing portfolio grow at The Money Source Inc., but the number of people working for the home lender increased.

Mortgage Daily, May 25, 2018Fannie Mae warned of a mortgage scheme in which bogus businesses are being listed as the employer of prospective borrowers on home loan applications.

Mortgage Professional America, May 29, 2018--Steve RandallMISMO is inviting mortgage industry participants to join the group to develop a decision model for eNotes, which is created when all mortgage documents including the promissory are electronically signed.

Bloomberg, May 25, 2018--Devin Leonard, Elizabeth Dexheimer (subscription)The ultimate goal, Mulvaney says, is to move the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau beyond the realm of partisan bickering and turn it into what he calls one of the "gold-standard" regulators, like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. To do that, he says he'll have to disassociate the CFPB from its origins.

UExpress, May 25, 2018--Lew SichelmanHomeowners pay an average of nearly $3,400 in property taxes every year, according to new research. But if you live in the New York City area, you could be paying three times that.