Banks Expect Tighter Lending Standards, Weaker Loan Performance in 2020

Wall Street Journal, Feb. 3, 2020–David HarrisonBanks expect to tighten lending standards and to see loan performance weaken this year, according to a new Federal Reserve Survey. (subscription)https://www.wsj.com/articles/banks-expect-tighter-lending-standards-weaker-loan-performance-in-2020-11580761195?

U.S. Construction Spending Dips in December

HousingWire, Feb. 3, 2020–Alcynna LloydU.S. construction spending for commercial and residential projects dipped in December, its first retreat since June, according to the Census Bureau.https://www.housingwire.com/articles/construction-spending-dips-in-december/

5 Questions for Regina Lowrie

National Mortgage News, Feb. 3, 2020–Brad FinkelsteinThe prevention of wire fraud and cyber-crime being perpetrated against the mortgage business is the latest passion for Regina Lowrie, longtime industry executive and …

CREF 2020: ‘Negotiating Your Life’ with Meg Myers Morgan

If you are attending MBA’s CREF 2020 convention Feb. 9-12, don’t miss the Tuesday, Feb. 11 mPower lunch featuring author, executive and leadership coach Meg Myers Morgan and MBA Chief Operating Officer and mPower founder Marcia Davies.

MBA Advocacy Update

On Friday MBA submitted a letter responding to HUD’s RFI on housing affordability, urging HUD to pursue a number of regulatory and federal funding reforms intended to spur housing supply, lower costs and enhance affordability. Also last week MBA submitted a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Committee highlighting the association’s principles for privacy and cybersecurity reform. And on Wednesday, Comptroller Joseph Otting testified before the House Financial Services Committee on the OCC’s joint plan with the FDIC to revamp CRA.

MBA, Trade Groups Ask Agencies to Delay Credit Risk Retention Rule

The Mortgage Bankers Association and three dozen other industry groups sent a letter Friday to federal agencies, asking them to delay a review of the federal Credit Risk Retention final rule until the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalizes its Qualified Mortgage definition.