Economic growth is expected to slow in 2026 and remain below trend for several years as higher interest rates and lingering inflation pressures weigh on the U.S. economy, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s December Economic and Mortgage Finance forecasts. MBA economists Mike Fratantoni, Joel Kan and Judie Ricks wrote that the forecasts show 2025 […]
MBA 2026 forecast: Slow growth amid inflation, rate hikes Read More »
Mortgage applications decreased 3.8% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)’s weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Dec. 12. On an unadjusted basis, the index decreased 5% compared with the previous week. The refinance index decreased 4% from the previous week and was 86% higher than the
Mortgage demand drops, but refi share reaches highest level since September Read More »
The Mortgage Bankers Association is standing firm on its initiatives to help lenders find credit-report cost relief with its latest call to eliminate the tri-merge purchase requirement for a segment of borrowers. Processing Content In a letter addressed to Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte in mid December, MBA requested that the regulator, which
MBA presses FHFA to drop tri-merge credit report rule Read More »
The ROAD to Housing Act was left out of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the final House text released Sunday, leaving the mortgage industry to continue pushing for housing provisions into the first quarter of next year. The bipartisan bill — which includes policies to address housing affordability, boost supply, modernize financing
ROAD to Housing Act dropped from NDAA, sparking trade group response Read More »
Late last month, federal banking regulators proposed lowering the Community Bank Leverage Ratio (CBLR) for qualifying community banks and bank holding companies from 9% to 8% while extending the timeframe for certain banks to remain in the program. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance
MBA supports proposed cut to Community Bank Leverage Ratio Read More »
Last week, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and 14 other trade groups representing insurance companies, lenders and other financial institutions urged Congress to approve a long-term reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In a letter to congressional leaders dated Dec. 2, the organizations said that millions of U.S. homeowners depend on the federally
Trade groups urge Congress to reauthorize NFIP Read More »
Despite elevated mortgage rates, mortgage applications increased 0.2% from the prior week, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)’s weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Nov. 21. On an unadjusted basis, the index decreased 2% compared with the previous week. “Mortgage rates crept higher last week, with the 30-year fixed rate
Purchase applications drive small mortgage application increase Read More »
Mortgage applications for new-home purchases decreased 2.6% compared to a year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)’s Builder Application Survey data for October 2025. Compared to the month prior, applications decreased by 1%. MBA noted that this change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns. “Lower mortgage rates, ongoing usage of
October new-home mortgage applications fall 2.6% Read More »
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on Wednesday issued a final rule to immediately rescind the nonbank registry rule and a proposal to create a registry of nonbank contract terms and conditions. The decision was applauded by mortgage trade groups. The nonbank registry rule was published in the Federal Register in July 2024 and set
CFPB drops nonbank registry rule, citing cost burden Read More »
Mortgage applications increased 7.1% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending October 24, 2025. On an unadjusted basis, the index increased 7% compared with the previous week. The refinance index increased 9% from the previous week and was 111% higher than
Lower rates prompt refis and dismissal of ARMs Read More »