HUD finalizes rule on interested party contributions for FHA HECM for purchase program; Ginnie announces payment default status dataset; federal jury convicts FHA borrower of fraud; and more news briefs.

Fannie and Freddie find a way to deal with the NAR settlement without changing the rules.

Mortgage financing was used on 80% of purchases of primary residences last year, a survey by the National Association of Realtors showed.

Total issuance of Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities declined slightly during the first quarter of this year. Still, volume was up sharply from the first three months of 2023. (Includes four data tables.)

The administrative actions last year resulted in civil monetary penalties of more than $26 million.

The Mortgage Bankers Association and Community Home Lenders of America want policy updates from the VA and FHA to respond to market changes that are anticipated following a proposed National Association of Realtors settlement tied to broker commissions.

CHLA endorses House Resolution 612 to protect veterans benefits; VA finalizes rule updating loss-mitigation terminology; VA adopts a no cash, no check policy; Ginnie adds low- to moderate-income data disclosures related to its home equity conversion mortgage MBS program; HUD to hold vacant home sale related to its HECM program.

Lenders using automation to enhance underwriting should ensure their models measure fairness to applicants and not just data accuracy.

Both the correspondent and broker channels increased their share of FHA and VA lending in 2023. (Includes data table.)

For the full year, $14.78 billion in home equity conversion mortgages were originated in 2023, down 50.2% from 2022. (Includes three data tables.)