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Volume 25 Issue 17

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

ICE First Look: Refinance Activity, Prepayments Strong in December

ICE Mortgage Technology, Atlanta, released its “first look” at December 2025 data, finding that refinance and prepayment activity both hovered near multiyear highs.

Down Payment Resource: Homeownership Programs Up Year-Over-Year

Down Payment Resource, Atlanta, released its Q4 Homeownership Program Index, finding that there were 2,619 homeownership programs nationwide.

Dealmaker: Walker & Dunlop Arranges $97M for Kentucky Portfolio

Walker & Dunlop, Bethesda, Md., arranged $96.7 million in total financing to recapitalize three properties in Louisville, Ky.

MBA VIDEOS

Jamie Woodwell Previews the 2026 MBA Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo

Jamie Woodwell Previews the 2026 MBA Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo

mPower Moments: Resolving Workplace Conflict with Bright Blue Consulting’s Nicole Provonchee

mPower Moments: Resolving Workplace Conflict with Bright Blue Consulting’s Nicole Provonchee

MBA Eye on Washington

MBA Eye on Washington

MBA Research Minute

MBA Research Minute

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TOP NATIONAL NEWS

Housing Market Momentum Builds as Early-Year Indicators Align
Ginnie Mae Speeds Up Loan-Level MBS Overhaul
Fed Expected to Keep Rates Unchanged as Chair Powell Pivots Back to Economics
New Breed of Shared Offices Is Bringing Co-Working Market Back to Life

UPCOMING EVENTS AND NEWS

mPact Presents: Advocacy in Action, Feb. 5
Get to Know MISMO, Feb. 10
MBA Servicing Solutions Conference and Expo, Feb. 16-19
MAA Quarterly Webinar: Policy Priorities in a Mid‑Term Election Year, Jan. 29
Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) Designation

Homes.com Finds First Year-over-Year Affordability Improvement Since 2020

The median home price increased nationwide 1.1% last year, but higher income growth and lower mortgage interest rates boosted affordability in 2025, according to Homes.com, Arlington, Va.

January 27, 2026

MBA Newslink Premier Member Spotlight: Geraci LLP

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One in a series of profiles of Premier Members of the Mortgage Bankers Association.

January 27, 2026

Mission (Im)Possible? Charting a Path Out of GSE Conservatorship (If Policymakers Choose to Pursue It)

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Vice Capital Markets' Chris Bennett looks at the path forward for the GSEs.

January 26, 2026

Remembering a Mortgage Industry Legend: Kurt Pfotenhauer

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The mortgage industry mourns Kurt Pfotenhauer, a long-time leader who passed away last week.

January 27, 2026

MBA Newslink Q&A: Dovenmuehle’s Ron Malik on Diversifying Default Servicing Outreach

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MBA NewsLink recently spoke with Dovenmuehle’s Ron Malik about the evolving state of default servicing, why diversifying borrower outreach is vital and how emerging technologies continue to reshape the borrower experience.

January 26, 2026

Advocacy Update: MBA-led Coalition Letter to White House on Housing Affordability; State Updates

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This week’s top legislative and policy news from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

January 26, 2026

Industry Briefs, January 27, 2026

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Industry news from ATTOM, ResiShares, Prudent AI, Embrace Home Loans, OceanFirst Bank, ServiceLink, Grid-ML, Dovenmuehle and First American.

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One Voice. One Vision. One Resource. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is the national association representing the entire real estate finance industry. For more information visit us at our website.
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Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Marketing: John Mechem
Editor: Michael Tucker | 202/557-2851
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