Borrower equity in the U.S. saw a third-quarter pullback, while a corresponding increase in underwater mortgages is raising concerns about the financial health and debt levels of some homeowners, according to Cotality. Processing Content Home equity levels declined by $373.8 billion year over year in the third quarter, representing a drop of 2.1% to approximately […]
US home equity drops $374B as underwater mortgages rise Read More »
Fitch Ratings says its 2025 review of nonbank mortgage lenders reflects how the biggest players have strengthened their franchises during three years of consolidation. Processing Content “The largely stable outlooks reflect Fitch’s expectation that the operating environment will improve moderately and financial metrics will remain within rating sensitivities,” the report said It cited Inside Mortgage
Fitch flags rising leverage across nonbank lenders Read More »
In this week’s banking news roundup: Rohit Chopra is named senior advisor to the Democratic Attorneys General Association’s working group on consumer protection and affordability; Flagstar Bank’s private-banking division adds two additional wealth-planning capabilities; Chime promotes three members of its executive leadership team; and more.
Democratic AGs hire former CFPB Director Chopra Read More »
Mortgage stakeholders are applauding President Trump’s latest executive order seeking to curb state-level regulation around artificial intelligence. Processing Content The Trump Administration will target state laws and challenge them in court, and withhold certain grant funding for states with AI laws it deems onerous, according to the order signed Thursday. The directive suggests existing state
Trump targets “onerous” state AI laws, wins lender support Read More »
The Federal Housing Administration has officially established the 2026 limits for loans that it insures, including traditional products and those originated through its reverse mortgage program. Processing Content The administration set the core limits for single-unit properties in low- and high-cost areas at $541,287 and $1,249,125, respectively. Those limits are based on 65% and 150%
Federal Housing Administration sets loan limits for 2026 Read More »
Vincent Alban/Bloomberg Processing Content Key Insight: Both regional Federal Reserve presidents, who are voting members of the Federal Open Market Committee in 2025, said they wanted interest rates to remain unchanged because of inflation concerns and a lack of official data. Expert Quote: “Inflation remains too high, the economy shows continued momentum, and the labor
Fed’s Goolsbee, Schmid lay out case for interest rate pause Read More »
Ginnie Mae announced its plans to change liquidation reporting requirements in a move that aligns its policies more closely with the government-sponsored enterprises and mortgage-market participants. Processing Content The change serves to enhance operations and improve accuracy and timeliness of liquidation event data, which are used to help determine payments tied to Ginnie Mae’s mortgage-backed
Ginnie Mae aligns liquidation reporting with GSEs Read More »
The last mile of the consumer’s mortgage origination journey — scheduling and signing — is often where frustration peaks for borrowers. In our digital-first world, few consumers expect unclear and inflexible processes related to their notary appointment — or to be tethered to in-person paperwork. Yet for many lenders, this remains the norm. That disconnect
Making the 7-day refi reality: Closing without the wait Read More »
Real estate platform PLACE is welcoming three new executives. On Monday, the firm announced the additions of Nikki Miller, Jamie Jatzlau and Claire Dunham to its leadership team. Miller, who will serve as PLACE’s new vice president of growth, began her real estate industry career in 2014 as a sales associate at the Souferian Group,
PLACE names new leaders for growth, legal, and title strategy Read More »
FirstHome IQ says that millennials and Generation Z face significant gaps in financial knowledge and trust as they approach homebuying age, according to the group’s newly released 2025 Impact Report. The report outlines widespread uncertainty among younger homebuyers — noting that most never received formal financial literacy education. According to the findings, 93% of millennials
FirstHome IQ highlights financial literacy gaps among young homebuyers Read More »