The Lede

Top National News

Mortgage Rates Fall Back as Consumer Confidence Wavers
Washington Post, Sept. 26, 2019--Kathy OrtonVolatility of mortgage rates this month has caused plenty of angst for home buyers and owners wanting to refinance. But this week's retreat comes as welcome news. (MBA mention)
Full Story
Multifamily Lending Hit Record High in 2018
HousingWire, Sept. 26, 2019--Kelsey RamirezMultifamily continues to soar, rising to an all-time high in 2018 in terms of dollar volume, according the Mortgage Bankers Association's annual report of the multifamily lending market.
Full Story
House Lawmakers Spar over CFPB Debt Collection Rule
American Banker, Sept. 26, 2019--Neil Haggerty (subscription)A House hearing on the future of regulating debt collectors showcased a sharp divide between Democrats and Republicans over a pending proposal by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Full Story
A Sound Mortgage Business Strategy
DS News, Sept. 26, 2019--Radhika OjhaExplaining the basis of mPower (MBA Promoting Opportunities for Women to Extend their Reach) a networking group for female mortgage professionals, Lisa J. Haynes, SVP, CFO, and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Mortgage Bankers Association said that the group is meant to create a safe environment "where women professionals can feel comfortable sharing their honest experiences alongside their colleagues."
Full Story
Court Approves Ditech’s Sell-Off of Forward and Reverse Mortgage Businesses
HousingWire, Sept. 26, 2019--Ben LaneDitech Holding is one giant step closer to selling off its forward and reverse mortgage businesses after a federal bankruptcy court judge approved the company's plan to sell to New Residential Investment and Mortgage Assets Management.
Full Story
Millennials Continue to Leave Big Cities
Wall Street Journal, Sept. 26, 2019--Janet Adamy, Paul Overberg (subscription)Large U.S. cities lost tens of thousands of millennial and younger Gen X residents last year, according to Census figures released Thursday that offer fresh signs of cooling urban growth.
Full Story
Robots Could Replace Loan Officers in the Future
Riverside Press-Enterprise (Calif.), Sept. 26, 2019--Jeff LazersonLenders are choking on the largely human expenses to fund and book new mortgages. Twenty percent of lenders are using BOTS (robotic process automation) for various loan production processes, and 50% are already seeing a positive ROI (return on investment), according to STRATMOR research. (MBA mention)
Full Story
U.S. Business Investment Downturn Could Pressure Slowing Economy
Reuters, Sept. 26, 2019--Lucia MutikaniU.S. business investment contracted more sharply than previously estimated in the second quarter and corporate profit growth was tepid, casting a shadow on an economy that is being stalked by financial market fears of a recession.
Full Story
GAO Calls for More Scrutiny of Reverse Mortgage Servicing
National Mortgage News, Sept. 26, 2019--Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)The Federal Housing Administration should more closely monitor reverse mortgage servicers and track related data that would shed light on a rise in defaults, according to a Government Accountability Office report.
Full Story

Residential Finance News

Commercial/Multifamily News

MBA News

MISMO Seeks Nominations for Standards Governance Committee Members; Nomination Deadline Today
MISMO seeks nominations for qualified industry professionals to serve on MISMO's Standards Governance Committees for a two-year term beginning in January. Positions are available on both the Residential and Commercial Standards Governance Committees. The nomination period ends today, Sept. 27.
Full Story