Category: Top National News

HousingWire, Jan. 30, 2019–Jessica GuerinOn Tuesday the White House issued a statement that appeared to walk back Federal Housing Finance Agency Acting Director Joseph Otting’s comments about taking the GSEs out of conservatorship, dampening hopes for immediate action and causing shares of both GSEs to slip 12 percent.

Market Express, Jan. 30, 2019–Wolf RichterThe Chinese government is cracking down on capital flows from China to other countries, particularly to fund real estate projects. It is also cracking down on the “ballooning” debt of Chinese conglomerates, after their real estate buying spree.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 29 2019–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)The same TILA-RESPA integrated disclosure errors were made by mortgage lenders, though those documents have been required for over three years, a report from MetaSource said.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 29, 2019–Neil Haggerty (subscription)The Senate Banking Committee will examine proposals to “fix the flawed” housing finance system in the new Congress, according to a summary of Chairman Mike Crapo’s legislative priorities unveiled Tuesday.

The Real Deal (New York), Jan. 29, 2019–Kevin SunFor the first time in years, the agency has asked a number of these lenders to improve financial metrics before receiving full approval to continue issuing Ginnie Mae-backed mortgage bonds.

The Mortgage Leader, Jan. 22, 2019Blend has hired Tim Mayopoulos, former CEO of Fannie Mae, as president of the company. Mayopoulos will lead Blend’s go to market and corporate support functions, take a seat on the board and report to Nima Ghamsari, CEO of Blend.

National Mortgage News, Jan. 22, 2019–Bonnie Sinnock (subscription)In a slow mortgage market, construction loans are considered the most likely source of growth for lenders, according to Altisource’s latest annual originations survey.

Fox Business, Jan. 23, 2019–Brittany De LeaHomebuyers are increasingly opting for nontraditional mortgages – Opens a New Window. which helped precipitate the housing crisis about one decade ago – potentially foreshadowing trouble as high prices continue to weigh on housing affordability. (MBA mention)

Wall Street Journal, Jan. 23, 2019–Ben Eisen (subscription)A flavor of mortgage once panned for its role in the housing meltdown a decade ago is making a comeback. These loans, aimed at buyers with unusual circumstances such as those who can’t provide the standard proofs of income, are growing rapidly even as rising interest rates and higher home prices crimp demand for mortgages.

Urban Institue, Jan. 23, 2019The Urban Institute’s Mortgage Servicing Collaborative agrees that the FHA could improve outcomes for borrowers and mitigate costs for servicers by simplifying requirements.