The Lede

National Mortgage News, May 21, 2019--Brad FinkelsteinThe era of plentiful refinance volume is over for the foreseeable future, the result of mortgage rates remaining in a very narrow band for the past decade, said Mortgage Bankers Association Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni.(free content)

National Mortgage News, May 21, 2019--John ReostiSeveral banks have revved up efforts in mortgage lending, even as others have headed for the exits. (MBA mention)

Reuters, May 21, 2019--Richard LeongThe U.S. mortgage industry may have to grapple with a "zombie" version of the London interbank offered rate even after the rate benchmark is expected to be phased out after 2021, industry officials said on Tuesday. (MBA mention)

Washington Post, May 21, 2019--Colby ItkowitzHUD Secretary Ben Carson Carson appeared before the House Financial Services Committee for more than three hours, fielding questions on housing policies. Several times he stumbled as Democrats, especially the women on the committee, tried to poke holes in his knowledge of the agency he runs.

National Mortgage News, May 21, 2019--Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)Soon after acting Ginnie Mae Acting President Maren Kasper took the helm of the agency in January, she and other officials decided to step up efforts to address the issue of faster prepayments for loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

HousingWire, May 21, 2019--Jessica GuerinThe Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District New York denied Ditech's motion to dismiss the formation of a consumer committee to protect the interests of mortgage borrowers who have loans with Ditech or its subsidiaries.

Archinect, May 21, 2019 --Anastasia Tokmakova Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan signed a Mandatory Housing Affordability policy that will change the zoning of 27 Seattle neighborhoods from single-family to multifamily. This "upzoning" could generate 6,000 new homes over the next decade.