The Lede

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily lending caps will shrink slightly in 2018, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced yesterday.

The vast majority of servicing professionals said their organization is currently investing to improve the condition of REO properties under management and most said their organization is currently making a significant investment, said Altisource Portfolio Solutions S.A., Luxembourg.

National Mortgage Professional, Nov. 21, 2017--Phil HallThe Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Mortgage Action Alliance called for industry professionals to lobby on behalf of S. 2155, The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act.

Mortgage Daily, Nov. 21, 2017The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau approved a redesigned Uniform Residential Loan Application to be used by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

HousingWire, Nov. 21, 2017--Brena SwansonThe case questions whether the structure of the CFPB is unconstitutional, with PHH arguing that the bureau's director has too much power and that the bureau operates without supervision or oversight.

National Mortgage News, Nov. 21, 2017--Brad Finkelstein (subscription)Late payments from borrowers living in areas hardest hit by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma were responsible for October's increase in loan delinquencies, said Black Knight.

DS News, Nov. 21, 2017--David WhartonFinancial services holding company Ocwen announced in November that it had worked closely with various nonprofit agencies to forgive $14.6 million in mortgage debt for struggling Ohio homeowners.

American Banker, Nov. 26, 2017--Kate Berry (subscription)Leandra English, the deputy director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, sued the Trump administration late Sunday to block the appointment of Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney as interim director of the consumer agency.

Washington Examiner, Nov. 26, 2017--Joseph LawlerWhatever happens with Republican tax reform, the mortgage interest deduction is in trouble.

Washington Post Writers Group, Nov. 25, 2017--Kenneth R. HarneyThe scenario that personal finance and credit experts feared most about the heist of consumer data from Equifax already may be underway.

Mortgage Daily, Nov. 22, 2017Servicing transfers last month tumbled from September as a result of a massive sale the previous month by the home-lending unit of Citigroup Inc.