Category: Top National News

HousingWire, Oct. 17, 2017–Brena SwansonAs the debate around what tax reform looks like heightens, the Mortgage Bankers Association is jumping in on the conversation, saying that they support the opportunity for comprehensive tax reform.

Wall Street Journal, Oct. 17, 2017–Esther Fung (subscription)The U.S. has far too many malls scrambling to attract consumers at a time when online shopping is tightening its grip. That doesn’t mean middling malls will die quickly, however.

HousingWire, Oct. 17, 2017–Ben LaneThe nonbank disclosed Tuesday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it reached agreements with Arkansas, Tennessee, and the District of Columbia, bringing the total number of states it’s settled with to 20.

Washington Post, Oct. 18, 2017–Kenneth Harney A recent legal settlement between the federal government and a title insurance agency is drawing fresh attention to one of the murkiest, least understood and costly items you get charged for in a real estate closing: title insurance.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Oct. 18, 2017–Paul GoresThird-quarter profits more than doubled for MGIC Investment Corp. as mortgage delinquencies continued to decline and the quarterly results comparison benefited from a one-time loss in last year’s third period.

HousingWire, Oct. 18, 2017–Ben LaneIn a release, the company says that the moves are designed to “reposition the segment for sustained profitability by focusing on the core products and services that Radian believes have higher growth potential, produce more predictable and recurring fee-based revenues, and better align with customer needs.”

Mortgage Professional America, Oct. 18, 2017–Francis MonfortMortgages are the leading source of complaints to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau among consumers 62 years old and older, according to a report by the US Public Interest Research Group and the Frontier Group.

National Mortgage News, Oct. 18, 2017–Elina Tarkazikis (subscription)The percentage of refinance loans rose to 38% in September as interest rates dipped to their lowest level in 2017, according to Ellie Mae’s Origination Insight Report. Last month, refinances comprised 35% of total loans.

Wall Street Journal, Oct. 18, 2017–Robyn A. Friedman (subscription)Some mortgage servicers have a bad reputation for service: In a survey released earlier this year, unhappy mortgage customers said their servicers were more focused on profit than on their customers.

Reuters, Oct. 19, 2017–David MorganThe budget resolution contains a legislative tool called reconciliation, which would enable Republicans, who control the 100-seat Senate by a 52-48 margin, to move tax legislation through the Senate on a simple majority vote. Otherwise, tax reform would need 60 votes and would likely fail.