Regulatory

Adriana D. Kugler resigns as Federal Reserve governor

The Federal Reserve Board announced on Friday that Adriana D. Kugler will step down from her position as governor. Kugler, whose term was set to expire at the end of January 2026, joined the board of governors in September 2023 after being nominated by former President Joe Biden. She submitted her letter of resignation to […]

Adriana D. Kugler resigns as Federal Reserve governor Read More »

Trump meets with big bank CEOs to talk about taking the GSEs public: Bloomberg

President Donald Trump appears to be taking another step to bring Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac out of conservatorship, according to reporting by Bloomberg on Thursday. The president has invited the leaders of some of the country’s biggest banks, including JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Goldman Sachs Group CEO David Solomon, and Bank of

Trump meets with big bank CEOs to talk about taking the GSEs public: Bloomberg Read More »

Arizona homebuilders challenge groundwater restrictions

As Arizona grapples with rapid growth and a changing climate, long-standing groundwater regulations are being tested in courtrooms, boardrooms and booming desert suburbs. Developers and regulators are locked in a deepening dispute over how to manage the state’s finite water supplies — with the future of real estate, agriculture and sustainability hanging in the balance.

Arizona homebuilders challenge groundwater restrictions Read More »

Michigan title agents suspended over escrow allegations

Two Oakland County, Michigan, title insurance agents have had their licenses suspended following allegations of misappropriating millions in escrow funds. The agents are also accused of failing to cooperate with auditors and a state investigation — as well as contributing to at least one homeowner’s foreclosure, according to a local news report. The Michigan Department

Michigan title agents suspended over escrow allegations Read More »

California creates office dedicated to housing, homelessness issues

In a move to overhaul how California manages its housing and homelessness response, Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed to divide the state’s Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two distinct entities — the California Housing and Homelessness Agency (CHHA) and the Business and Consumer Services Agency. With no veto coming from the California State

California creates office dedicated to housing, homelessness issues Read More »

Which is better for mortgage — FICO or VantageScore?

VantageScore and FICO have escalated their rivalry in the mortgage space following the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) decision to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase loans underwritten with VantageScore 4.0 as an alternative to the Classic FICO score.  Both companies published analyses this week from their data scientists. Naturally, each claims their score more

Which is better for mortgage — FICO or VantageScore? Read More »

PAVE task force 2.0? Senate Democrat introduces appraisal bias legislation

The Trump administration has “effectively disbanded” the interagency Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) task force, but a Democratic senator wants to revive it. Raphael Warnock of Georgia introduced the Appraisal Modernization Act on Thursday. The legislation seeks to address systemic bias in the appraisal process, effectively writing into law many of the measures the

PAVE task force 2.0? Senate Democrat introduces appraisal bias legislation Read More »

Minnesota housing program under federal fraud investigation

Federal agents are probing what they describe as a massive scheme to defraud Minnesota’s Housing Stabilization Services program, according to a search warrant. Numerous outlets reported that a federal investigation is targeting a Medicaid-funded benefit created in 2020 to assist people with disabilities, mental illnesses, substance use disorders and seniors in securing and maintaining housing.

Minnesota housing program under federal fraud investigation Read More »

VantageScore 4.0 is coming. But much work needs to be done

In the days following the announcement that VantageScore 4.0 was suddenly in play for conventional mortgages, FinLocker‘s Brian Vieaux had to burst some bubbles. Most of the 15 to 20 loan officers he spoke to were ecstatic about being able to use the new credit scoring model. Millions of new prospective borrowers could be scored

VantageScore 4.0 is coming. But much work needs to be done Read More »

Federal regulators scrap 2023 CRA rule

Three federal banking regulators announced on Wednesday the rescission of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) final rule issued in October 2023. The decision made by the governing boards of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) will result in the agencies reinstating

Federal regulators scrap 2023 CRA rule Read More »