The Federal Open Market Committee’s decision to meet broad expectations for a 25 basis point cut might not give many people in the market for a home loan the break they anticipated. “What does that do for mortgage rates? I think we’ve already seen that show up. The last three, four weeks, we’ve seen mortgage […]
Fed cuts but only some mortgage rates are moving lower Read More »
Affordable housing groups weighing on behalf of underserved communities are advocating for a cautious approach to the government-sponsored enterprise reform the Trump administration is pursuing. “Any changes to the enterprises cannot raise costs on renters and homeowners,” the Underserved Mortgage Markets Coalition said in laying out one of its priorities for reform as administration officials
What underserved market supporters want to see in GSE reform Read More »
Key Insight: Democratic Lawmakers say the 2023 CRA made important updates to a decades old framework, accounting for online banking and reducing CRA “grade inflation.” Supporting Data: The 2023 rule was backed by bipartisan members of the Federal Reserve Board, including Governor Waller and Chair Powell. Forward Look: Lawmakers are pressing regulators to defend the
Senate Democrats urge regulators to rethink CRA reversal Read More »
Key insight: A federal appeals court denied the Trump administration’s effort to remove Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook from the central bank’s board of governors. Expert quote: “Here, the plain purpose of providing for-cause protection was to assure members of the Board of Governors — and national and global markets — that they do not
Appeals court rejects Trump’s bid to remove Cook from Fed Read More »
Allowing President Donald Trump to remove independent agency members undermines the legal basis for the independence of the Federal Reserve, lawyers for the Federal Trade Commission’s sole remaining Democrat told the US Supreme Court Monday. Attorneys for FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter made that argument in a filing that seeks to allow her to remain in her
Fate of Fed intertwined with FTC Democrat, Supreme Court told Read More »
President Donald Trump on Sunday made a final push to sway a US appeals court to let him oust Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud before next week’s Fed vote on interest rates, again telling the court that she’s failed to dispute the claims. Trump last week asked the Washington-based appeals court to
Trump makes new push for court approval to fire Fed’s Cook Read More »
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s chief issued a reminder of why it has opposed merging two influential government-sponsored loan buyers as federal officials signaled momentum in pursuing a public offering. “Creating a government-conferred monopoly would diminish innovation, degrade service to market participants and heighten systemic risk,” MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit said in a blog
Why MBA is renewing opposition to a Fannie-Freddie merger Read More »
The 30-year mortgage without a prepayment penalty has long been standard in the U.S., but the latest round of GSE reform has some former officials questioning it. The debate has new relevance given that two influential GSE loan buyers that have been in government conservatorship are now exploring potential restructuring with industry input. Many housing
GSE talks revive push for 30-year loan changes Read More »
Key Insight: Congress passed the president’s massive tax and spending bill in July that lowered the maximum amount of funding the CFPB can request from the Federal Reserve System. Supporting Data: The CFPB’s fiscal 2025 operating budget is capped at an estimated $446 million, a 43% drop from the funding cap of $785.4 million in
CFPB warns staff of upcoming layoffs due to GOP funding cuts Read More »
Key insight: The White House has appealed a lower court ruling granting Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook an injunction that allows her to remain at her post pending the outcome of her lawsuit challenging the president’s moves to fire her. What’s at stake: The appeals process, even if expedited, is unlikely to affect Cook’s participation
Trump appeals ruling allowing Fed Gov. Cook to remain Read More »