The Lede

Washington Post, Feb. 14, 2019--Kathy OrtonAccording to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate average dropped to 4.37 percent with an average 0.4 point. It was 3.41 percent a week ago and 3.38 percent a year ago. (MBA mention)

Washington Post, Feb. 14, 2019--Robert McCartney, Jonathan O'ConnellThe company issued a statement saying it did not intend to reopen its search for a second headquarters at this time, but would continue with plans to put at least 25,000 jobs in Arlington in Northern Virginia and 5,000 in Nashville. New York was scheduled to get 25,000 jobs under the original announcement in November, which split the 50,000 jobs for a second headquarters between New York and Virginia.

National Mortgage News, Feb. 14, 2019--Hannah Long (subscription)The nominee to run the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Mark Calabria, appeared to lean toward having Congress reform the government-sponsored enterprises, despite recent speculation that the Trump administration was readying a plan that could be carried out without legislation.

National Mortgage News, Feb. 14, 2019--Neil Haggerty (subscription)Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., told acting Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Joseph Otting that he is concerned the Financial Accounting Standards Board's new model for estimating loan losses, which has long drawn industry criticism, could pose risk across the mortgage market.

HousingWire, Feb. 14, 2019--Alcynna LloydFannie Mae reported Thursday it posted a comprehensive income of $3.2 billion in the fourth quarter, bringing full-year earnings to $15.6 billion in 2018.

HousingWire, Feb. 14, 2019--Kelsey RamirezAfter taking out market-related losses due to interest rate and spread volatility, Freddie Mac reported an income of $1.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2018 and $8.6 billion for the full year.

National Mortgage Professional, Feb. 14, 2019--Phil HallMortgage applications for new home purchases began 2019 with a bang, soaring by 43 percent from December, according to new data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). However, the level was unchanged from one year ago.

Mortgage Media, Feb. 14, 2019MBA vice chair talks with Mortgage Media's S.A. Ibrahim about changes in process, demographics and representation in the industry--and notes that innovation must go hand in hand with experience.

Orange County Register, Feb. 14, 2019--Jeff LazersonTaxpayers facing a capital gains tax payment can defer the tax by investing in one of more than 8,700 economically depressed "opportunity zones." Here are some of the rules.

The Mortgage Bankers Association's annual National Advocacy Conference takes place Apr. 2-3 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.

MBA Education and the Compliance Essentials program present State Mortgage Servicing Rules Deep Dive Workshop on Feb 25 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando in conjunction with the MBA National Mortgage Servicing Conference & Expo.