Fed Revs Up Efforts to Stem Economic Effects of Coronavirus

The Federal Reserve, in its most aggressive actions yet, announced further steps this morning to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including actions strongly advocated for over the weekend by the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Federal Agencies ‘Will not Criticize’ Coronavirus Loan Mods

Six federal agencies on Sunday issued a joint statement encouraging financial institutions to “work constructively” with borrowers affected by the coronavirus pandemic and said they “will not criticize” loan modifications made in a “safe and sound” manner.

MBA Urges Feds to Take Immediate Further Steps on Market Stabilization, Liquidity

The Mortgage Bankers Association on Sunday asked the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve to take immediate further actions ensure orderly functioning of the housing finance market in response to the “extreme volatility” in financial markets arising from the spread of the coronavirus.

Federal Agencies ‘Will not Criticize’ Coronavirus Loan Mods

Six federal agencies on Sunday issued a joint statement encouraging financial institutions to “work constructively” with borrowers affected by the coronavirus pandemic and said they “will not criticize” loan modifications made in a “safe and sound” manner.

Fed Cuts Interest Rates to Zero; Announces $700 Billion in Stimulus

The Federal Reserve yesterday pre-empted its own regularly scheduled policy meeting this week, announcing an extraordinary full percentage point cut to the federal funds rate and sweeping purchases of government bonds and agency mortgage-backed securities.

MBA Doubles 2020 Refinance Forecast

The Mortgage Bankers Association today issued its revised Mortgage Finance Forecast and Economic Forecast, in which MBA doubled its previous 2020 refinance mortgage originations projections.

MBA Chart of the Week: 30-Year Fixed Rate vs. 10-Year Treasury

The yield on U.S. 10-year Treasuries fell to record lows last week, driven by increasing concerns regarding the spread of the coronavirus and its impact on the global and U.S. economy. Just last week, there has been an increase in occurrences of business shutdowns, travel restrictions and potential spending reductions.

Fed Cuts Rates Amid Coronavirus Risks

The Federal Reserve yesterday made an emergency cut to the federal funds rate, citing “evolving risks” stemming from the global coronavirus outbreak.

MBA Chart of the Week: Where from Here? One Scenario

On Sunday, we kicked off CREF 2020–MBA’s 2020 Commercial Real Estate Finance/Multifamily Housing Convention & Expo, with an economic and mortgage market update. One of the main messages: the commercial/multifamily markets ended 2019 on a very strong note.

The Week Ahead

SAN DIEGO–For the Mortgage Bankers Association, the action shifts from New Orleans following last week’s Independent Mortgage Bankers Conference, to the west coast for the MBA annual Commercial Real Estate Finance/Multifamily Housing Convention & Expo.