Underwriting

How some mortgage servicers have handled shutdown fallout

By Oct. 1, the first day of the federal government shutdown, mortgage subservicer Loancare was already fielding calls from borrowers asking what it meant for them and whether forbearance or other relief options were available. Consumers may have been more optimistic then. By Nov. 7, the shutdown had entered Day 38, concern was growing. How […]

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Fannie Mae updates credit score language in DU update

Fannie Mae announced updates to underwriting guidelines, including a change that removes mention of a long-standing minimum credit score benchmark.  Instead of a minimum score used to address risk, Fannie Mae updated language behind the previous requirement with a minimum credit risk standard based on evaluations made in its Desktop Underwriter system itself. “The minimum

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Ocrolus adds automated conditioning to mortgage tools

Ocrolus, an AI-powered data and analytics platform for credit decisioning, recently announced it’s adding automated conditioning to its suite of products. The new solution allows mortgage lenders to move faster, increase loan quality and reduce compliance risk. The new capabilities, announced at the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Annual Convention and Expo in Las Vegas in mid-October,

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Remax resets mortgage strategy under new division leader

In the time since Vic Lombardo became president of mortgage services at Remax Holdings over two months ago, the company has “taken a new view of the mortgage opportunity,” Eric Carlson, CEO, said in the third quarter earnings call. Among the units under Lombardo’s purview are Motto Mortgage, which offers mortgage broker franchises, and Wemlo,

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KBW says loan level pricing cuts could hurt GSE earnings

If federal regulators were to reduce or do away with loan level pricing adjustments at the government-sponsored enterprises, the effect on borrowers would be modest, but it would reduce earnings at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analysis found. Lower return on equity could put a crimp in privatization plans as

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NCRA responds to Loan Think column on credit scores

The National Consumer Reporting Association (NCRA) must respond to comments made by Christopher Whalen in a Loan Think piece, Why credit score politics have nothing to do with lending (Oct. 14, 2025). NCRA’s credit report resellers play a critical role in the home loan process, opening doors for consumers to housing. Consumers and others must

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Senior home equity holdings rise to record level

Seniors’ home equity holdings set a record in the second quarter as property values continue to increase, albeit at a slower pace than earlier this year. However, given the ongoing government shutdown, endorsements of Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, the Federal Housing Administration product which makes up the bulk of reverse mortgage lending, are on hold.

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Down payment percentages stay elevated due to higher prices

The typical down payment made by home purchasers during the third quarter increased by $500 over the previous fiscal period, with the average share remaining near 14.4% of the price, Realtor.com said. Compared to last year’s third quarter, the dollar amount of $30,400 was down by $100. While it is normal for the down payment

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TransUnion study pushes back on single-score concept

A credit reporting agency on Monday morning responded to an industry proposal to look into ending the tri-merge with a study finding it even more harmful to borrowers than a two-score pull. Although an earlier Standard & Poor’s study found a bi-merge alternative to the status quo in the mortgage industry could be viable, TransUnion

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TransUnion to offer VantageScore 4.0 at discount

TransUnion is the latest company to make a move in the credit score war between VantageScore and Fair Isaac Corp.’s FICO score, following partners Experian and Equifax. Transunion will offer VantageScore 4.0, a credit scoring model, for $4 in 2026. Experian will provide it for free to its clients indefinitely and Equifax will charge $4.50

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