San Francisco Chronicle, Feb. 3, 2020Last Thursday’s defeat of SB50, the state Senate bill that would have required cities to allow dense residential development near transit, shows housing policy can …
MBA Newslinks Archive
For Years Banks Have Asked for 20% Down on a Mortgage, But Cash-Strapped Americans are Buying Homes With Less
Business Insider, Feb 3, 2020–Liz Knueven For many would-be homebuyers, saving a 20% down payment for a mortgage can be a big barrier to homeownership. Consequently, more people are buying …
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.
FHFA Proposes Updated Minimum Financial Eligibility Requirements for Fannie Mac/Freddie Mac Seller/Servicers
The Federal Housing Finance Agency on Friday proposed updated minimum financial eligibility requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Seller/Servicers.
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.
MBA Chart of the Week: Home Sales and Inventory for Sale
This week’s chart highlights longer-term trends in home sales and inventory of homes on the market.
Empowering Women Requires Societal Influence
Hiring for diversity is not enough – to succeed, inclusion and diversity need to be woven into the fabric of our offerings. It needs to be a mindset change, not a superficial checkbox.