Category: Top National News

Washington Post, Feb. 1, 2019–Renae MerleA decade after Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed under government control, a key Senate Republican on Friday proposed allowing them to return to being private companies.

Journal for Structured Finance, Feb. 2019–Michael FratantoniMBA Chief Economist says lenders that can manage through today’s challenges while continuing to attract customers will be best-position to compete in the years ahead.

Mortgage Professional America, Feb. 4, 2019–Steve RandallProposals to overhaul the US housing finance system set out by Senator Mike Crapo Friday have been welcomed by several industry stakeholders.Among those who have welcomed the proposals is the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Robert D. Broeksmit, CMB, President and CEO.

Naional Mortgage News, Feb. 1, 2019–Brad Finkelstein (subscription)The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has published a new “frequently asked questions” tool to help mortgage lenders with TILA-RESPA integrated disclosures compliance.

The Hill, Jan. 31, 2019–Lisa Sitkin, Odette WilliamsonThe authors say one aspect of the recent government shutdown that has received too little attention is that it significantly increased the risk that thousands of struggling homeowners across the nation would lose their homes.

Financial Times, Jan. 31, 2019–Ed Crooks (subscription)General Electric‘s new boss took a first step towards ending years of upheaval that has drove the conglomerate from the top tier of American companies, announcing strong revenue growth and a $1.5 billion settlement in a longstanding probe into its role in the 2008 financial crisis.

HousingWire, Jan. 31, 2019–Jessica GuerinThe Federal Housing Finance Agency has named John Roscoe its new chief of staff. Roscoe currently serves as special assistant to the president in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel.

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.