Issuance of new Ginnie Mae mortgage-backed securities fell 10% in the third quarter. Purchase-money activity climbed at both FHA and VA, but not enough to offset declines in loan mods and cash-out refinances.

With the FHA MMIF actuarial audit due next month, industry watchers are speculating the timing of an announcement of a potential MIP cut.

FHA is seeking comments through Dec. 5 on its request for information on barriers to small mortgage lending.

The House and Senate passed separate bills over the summer containing funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the next fiscal year.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of FHA mortgages, among other measures.

Ginnie eyeing permanent emergency credit facility for nonbanks; USDA to hold training sessions on Guaranteed Underwriting System; home equity among seniors hits new record; Ginnie plans temporary business outage; Mortgage Bankers Association rustles support for VA appraisal bill; USDA expands Native American Relending Pilot program.

The approaching midterm elections have once again sparked debate on when the FHA will announce a reduction in insurance premiums. Will the Biden administration use an MIP cut to stoke Democratic support?

Among purchase mortgages with primary mortgage insurance, GSE volume declined in the third quarter while FHA and VA volume increased. California also lost its spot as the top source of loans with MI. (Includes two data charts.)

FHA’s Title II program provides limits on the maximum loan amount but doesn’t set a floor...

FHA/VA originations decreased in the second quarter though lending was up in the broker channel. PennyMac, the top government loan originator, saw declines across all three production channels. (Includes data chart.)