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Regulatory Compliance

California real estate trainer fined, banned for license exam violations

Agent, California, California Department of Real Estate, HWmember, Real Estate, Real Estate Licensing, Regulatory, Regulatory Compliance /

The California Department of Real Estate (CDRE) has entered into a settlement with agent education and training firm Real Estate Trainers Inc. (RETI) and its former president Lance McHarg, according to an announcement on Tuesday.  According to the CDRE, McHarg took the state’s real estate license exam numerous times without achieving a passing score. After […]

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HUD tightens rules for FHA appraiser roster

Appraisals, Compliance, FHA, HUD, HWmember, Mortgage, Regulatory Compliance, Reverse, Valuation /

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued new guidance that clarifies how appraisers are added to, maintained on and removed from the FHA Appraiser Roster. Mortgagee Letter 2025-24 — effective immediately — updates FHA policy to make appraiser eligibility easier to track and more consistent with federal and state licensing records. Changes apply

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FinCEN rules, state rate cuts reshape title insurance in 2025

FinCEN, HWmember, Regulatory Compliance, Texas, Title, Title insurance, Washington, D.C., WFG National Title /

The regulatory and compliance landscape for the title insurance industry grew more complex in 2025, driven by federal anti-money laundering rules, expanding reporting obligations and renewed scrutiny from state regulators. From delayed but still-looming FinCEN requirements to rate reductions, licensing pressures and growing attention on attorney opinion letters, compliance teams have been forced to prepare

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Will federal AI regulations override state housing efforts?

Artificial Intelligence, Compliance, Department of Justice, Donald Trump, HWmember, Lawsuit, Politics, Real Estate, Regulatory, Regulatory Compliance, Technology, Trump administration /

President Donald Trump’s new executive order that creates a single federal framework for artificial intelligence (AI) is reverberating throughout the housing industry. While states have been moving to regulate AI tools used in home pricing, marketing, tenant screening and mortgage decisions, the new order asserts federal authority over AI regulation. The Department of Justice (DOJ)

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2026 mortgage compliance trends show staffing strains, regulatory risks

Artificial Intelligence, Compliance, Cybersecurity, Fair Lending, HWmember, Mortgage, Regulatory, Regulatory Compliance /

Ncontracts, a provider of compliance, risk and vendor management solutions for the financial services industry, released a new survey Tuesday that examines how institutions are managing evolving compliance expectations in 2026. The survey, “The Future of Compliance: Benchmarking the People, Processes, and Pressures Shaping Compliance in 2026,” included responses from 183 financial institutions across various

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Zillow updates sites, apps after watchdog flags ad disclosure gaps

Agent, Brokerage, Compliance, HWmember, Real Estate, Regulatory Compliance, Trulia, Zillow /

BBB National Programs’ Digital Advertising Accountability Program (DAAP) has worked with Zillow Group to bring several of the company’s major brands into compliance with industry rules governing interest-based advertising. DAAP said it initiated a routine review of Zillow.com and detected third-party tracking activity used for targeted advertising. That prompted a broader examination of Zillow Group’s

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MBA supports proposed cut to Community Bank Leverage Ratio

Community Bank, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve, HWmember, Mortgage, Mortgage Bankers Association, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Regulatory, Regulatory Compliance /

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

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Inventory, affordability take center stage in House hearing

Affordability, Affordable housing, Congress, Home Prices, Homebuilders, House of Representatives, Housing Inventory, Housing Market, HWmember, Politics, Regulatory Compliance /

U.S. Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) pressed federal housing officials Wednesday on what he described as costly and counterproductive red tape, using a House Financial Services Committee hearing to highlight regulations he feels are worsening the national housing shortage. The hearing focused heavily on interpretations of Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements and their impacts on

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A slowdown in compliance? Don’t believe it!

Artificial Intelligence, Compliance, Contributors, HWmember, Opinion, Regulatory, Regulatory Compliance, Technology /

There’s a narrative making the rounds in certain mortgage lending circles. Some are suggesting that with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau seemingly scaling back certain activities, compliance pressures may soon be easing. The current federal government shutdown seems to add credence to this story. Is it possible that after years of struggling through the downturn

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Mortgage industry backs LLPA changes but is divided over priorities

Fannie Mae, FHFA, Freddie Mac, GSEs, HWmember, LendingLife, Mortgage, Origination, Regulatory, Regulatory Compliance /

The mortgage industry largely supports changes to the loan-level price adjustment (LLPA) matrix but remains divided on priorities, with a full overhaul unlikely amid a potential stock offering of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Two weeks ago, Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte said he had tasked Barry Habib — the MBS Highway

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