People in the News, Nov. 19, 2024

Industry personnel news from Dark Matter Technologies, Optimal Blue, MAXEX, MBA, Fannie Mae, FHFA, Certainty Home Lending and Provident Bank.

MBA Promotes Wendy Penn, Amber Lawrence

Wendy Penn has been promoted to Vice President for Affordable Housing Initiatives and Amber Lawrence has been promoted to Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Mortgage Credit Availability Increased in August

Mortgage credit availability increased in August according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index, a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association that analyzes data from ICE Mortgage Technology.

MBA Chart of the Week: Monthly Payroll Growth and Unemployment Rate

The job market definitively slowed in July. Nonfarm payroll growth at 114,000 was well below the 12-month average of 215,000, while the unemployment rate moved up to its highest level since October 2021 at 4.3%, as shown in this week’s chart.