SAN DIEGO--Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, took the stage at the Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo Feb. 9 to discuss MBA’s advocacy priorities and wins over the past year.

On Monday evening, the full U.S. House passed overwhelmingly (390-9) H.R. 6644, the Housing for the 21st Century Act. The housing package aims to tackle supply and affordability challenges, modernize local development, and improve government housing programs.

Early January mortgage rate declines unlocked refinance opportunities for nearly five million borrowers and helped push affordability to a four-year high, according to ICE Mortgage Technology, Atlanta.

The U.S. Census Bureau released a new report finding that the percentage of U.S. owner-occupied homes owned free and clear rose to 39.4% in 2020-2024.

Redfin, Seattle, released a new report finding that the typical homebuyer who purchased a home below the list price in 2025 got a 7.9% discount--the largest since 2012.

RCN Capital, South Windsor, Conn., and CJ Patrick Co., Trabuco Canyon, Calif., released their latest Investor Sentiment Index, showing a score of 101. That’s flat from Q3 and up four points year-over-year.

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla.--In the fast-changing mortgage industry, mentorship can provide stability, direction and confidence, panelists said here at MBA’s Independent Mortgage Bankers conference.

The Mortgage Collaborative, San Diego, released results from its Pulse of the Network survey, finding that business growth and development and technology implementation and cost reduction are key themes for the industry.