The Lede

CNBC, Sept. 11, 2019--Diana OlickHomebuyers are taking advantage of lower mortgage rates and a slow summer for sellers, and that is driving mortgage applications higher, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Mortgage News Daily, Sept. 11, 2019--Jann SwansonMortgage lenders reflected a lot of optimism about their business prospects in the third quarter Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey conducted by Fannie Mae. This is in sync with a report late last month from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The Mortgage Reports, Sept. 11, 2019--Tim LucasIt's a common assumption that mortgage rates can go only so low. In other words, there's a "floor" below which home purchase and refinance rates can't fall. That assumption, though pervasive, could be dead wrong.

Wall Street Journal, Sept. 11, 2019--Catherine LuceyPresident Trump renewed his call for lower interest rates and his criticism of the Federal Reserve Wednesday, saying on Twitter that the Fed should reduce rates to "ZERO, or less."

National Mortgage Professional, Sept. 11, 2019--Phil HallThe driving force behind NAMMBA is Tony Thompson, CMB, a longtime mortgage industry executive who launched this organization in 2016.

National Mortgage News, Sept. 11, 2019--Hannah Lang (subscription)A day after Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mark Calabria testified in front of lawmakers about the administration's plans for ending the conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, he offered new details about his timeline and vision for reform, including what options are on the table for building capital.

American Banker, Sept. 11, 2019--John Heltman (subscription)The House passed five bipartisan financial services bills aimed at issues ranging from rural housing assistance to the backlog of appraisals for Federal Housing Administration loans.

Bloomberg, Sept. 12, 2019-Oshrat CarmielSeekers of smaller apartments in Manhattan have had plenty of company this summer. Swelling demand by both newcomers and locals drove rents for studios and one-bedrooms to an 11-year high.