Americans File 1.54 Million More Initial Claims

More than 1.5 million Americans filed new claims for unemployment insurance during the first week of June, the Labor Department reported Thursday—the lowest level since the start of the coronavirus pandemic but still well above historic norms.

Commercial/Multifamily Briefs June 11, 2020

Eastern Union, New York, hired 75 new brokers for its new quarter-point fee for refinancing multifamily properties backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

FHFA Announces Next Steps for GSE UMBS Pooling Practices

The Federal Housing Finance Agency yesterday directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to “further align their practices for evaluating seller and servicer prepayment related activities.”

Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index Remains Near Survey Low

The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index increased by 4.5 points in May to 67.5, building slightly after nearing its record low in April. The survey indicated home buyers are much more confident in the current market than sellers.

Tom Lamalfa: May 2020 Survey of Secondary Market Executives

What follows are findings from a survey of senior mortgage executives I conducted in the first half of May. Due to cancelation of MBA’s National Secondary Market Conference, this survey was completed over the phone rather than face to face, as has been the case in the 23 preceding surveys done since 2008.

Tom Lamalfa: May 2020 Survey of Secondary Market Executives

What follows are findings from a survey of senior mortgage executives I conducted in the first half of May. Due to cancelation of MBA’s National Secondary Market Conference, this survey was completed over the phone rather than face to face, as has been the case in the 23 preceding surveys done since 2008.

MBA Advocacy Update: June 8, 2020

MBA remains actively engaged with decision-makers at all levels of government to help shape the response to the effects of the pandemic on the mortgage market. Last week, the Senate passed legislation that would ease restrictions on the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program, which President Trump signed into law on Friday.

Tom Lamalfa: May 2020 Survey of Secondary Market Executives

What follows are findings from a survey of senior mortgage executives I conducted in the first half of May. Due to cancelation of MBA’s National Secondary Market Conference, this survey was completed over the phone rather than face to face, as has been the case in the 23 preceding surveys done since 2008. Normally the surveys are conducted at the secondary conference as well as at the MBA Annual Convention every October.