Originations of home equity lines of credit and closed-end second liens continued to increase during the third quarter of 2025 but at a slower pace than in the previous quarter.

First-lien originations declined from the second quarter to the third, but the top five lenders boosted their share of production.

Mortgage applications are on the upswing as interest rates and spreads fall. FHFA says Trump is responsible, but critics disagree.

Refi originations push warehouse lending commitments up during the third quarter. On an annual basis, commitments were up 11.1%, with a handful of warehouse lenders putting a strong emphasis on the business. (Includes data table.)

The MBA advanced a proposal to limit the tri-merge requirements on GSE mortgages to applicants with credit scores below 700, in an effort to reduce the cost of originating loans. Some argue that the real problem is pulling scores for borrowers who are never going to qualify for a mortgage.

Rep. French Hill, R-AR, prompted the House to draft its own housing legislation rather than approving a Senate package.

UWM is set to buy Two Harbors Investment in a $1.3 billion all-stock transaction; mortgage broker employment increases in October.

Long-time industry analyst Chris Whalen said the GSE plans to disqualify some types of capital from use to calculate net worth.

The Senate-approved ROAD to Housing Act was dropped from a 2026 defense bill. However, House Republicans indicated that they’re working toward legislation to address housing affordability.

Banks have deprioritized refinance recapture due to changes in capital requirements and an emphasis on high-net worth borrowers.