MBA Advocacy Update–Dec. 7, 2020
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testified last week before House and Senate committees providing an update on CARES Act oversight. In both hearings, Mnuchin addressed the future of the GSEs, and stressed that they should not be released from conservatorship until each has sufficient capital.
Job Growth Slows Heading into Uncertain Winter
Total nonfarm payroll employment growth slowed to 245,000 in November, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday, with nearly 10 million fewer jobs currently compared to a year ago.
MBA Chart of the Week: IMB Production Profit and Volume
MBA released its latest Quarterly Performance Report for the third quarter last week. Independent mortgage banks and mortgage subsidiaries of chartered banks reported study-high average pre-tax production profits of 203 basis points ($5,535 on each loan originated) in the third quarter, up from 167 basis points ($4,548 per loan) in the second quarter.
REIT Outlook Negative, But Improving
The 2021 rating outlook for U.S. real estate investment trusts remains negative, but Fitch Ratings, New York, said its outlook for the sector is improving.
