On Friday, a District Court in Chicago ruled in CFPB v. Townstone Financial Inc. and Barry Sturner that the Equal Credit Opportunity Act does not extend to prospective applicants under a plain language reading of the statute.
Category: News and Trends
Black Knight: More than Half of Borrowers Using Rate Buydowns
Black Knight, Jacksonville, Fla., said 57 percent of recent borrowers used rate buydowns to purchase a home, with nearly 25 percent paying two or more points upfront.
Homebuyers See Relief from Prices, Monthly Payments
Redfin, Seattle, said homebuyers in many markets are starting to see relief from home prices and monthly payments.
Fitch: RMBS Servicers Focus on Post-Pandemic Performance
Fitch Ratings, New York, said mortgage servicers are anticipating increased regulatory scrutiny in 2023 as borrowers continue to exit forbearance assistance plans and seek help with their mortgage payments.
Home Equity Flattens in 4Q
ATTOM, Irvine, Calif., said 48 percent of mortgaged residential properties in the United States were considered equity-rich in the fourth quarter, down slightly from the previous quarter but up from a year ago.
Inflation Spurs Consumers to Credit Cards, Home Equity
TransUnion, Chicago, said amid rising interest rates and high inflation, the fourth quarter saw consumers continuing to look to credit as a means to help stave off financial pressures.
Quote (Feb. 7)
“We’re beginning to see an increase in the level of activity. And that’s in our data in terms of mortgage applications. It’s in pending home sales from the realtors. And it’s in builder sentiment from the homebuilders. So everything pointing in the same direction– January a little bit better than that extraordinarily slow fourth quarter from last year.”
–MBA Chief Economist Mike Fratantoni, appearing on Yahoo! Finance Feb. 2.
MBA Servicing Solutions Conference and Expo in Orlando Feb. 21-24
The Mortgage Bankers Associations Servicing Solutions Conference & Expo, Roadmap to Servicing Success, takes place Feb. 21-24 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.
FHA Expands Assistance Options for Struggling Borrowers
The Federal Housing Administration on Monday announced expansion of its loss mitigation options used to help borrowers struggling to make mortgage payments on their FHA-insured mortgages.
(IMB23) The Mortgage Market: IMB Leaders’ Perspectives
CORONADO, Calif.—With a volatile economic outlook, how are the practitioners—the independent mortgage bankers—approaching 2023 and beyond?