Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac likely will post healthy combined earnings for the fourth quarter in the range of $4.0 billion to $5.0 billion, according to an analysis by Inside Mortgage Finance. And un-der a surprise revision to their conservatorship terms, they’ll likely be able to keep a good deal of it.

Washington Federal will increase wages by 5.0 percent for employees earning less than $100,000 a year…

The FHFA noted that if another credit scoring model is introduced, the entire mortgage finance industry will incur increased operation and transition costs…

Congress approved significant reforms to federal tax policies this week, which will include a number of changes for the housing industry.

Mel Watt continued: “We, therefore, contemplate that going forward enterprise dividends will be declared and paid beyond the $3 billion capital reserve in the absence of exigent circumstances.”

Beginning in tax year 2018, a deduction won’t be allowed for interest paid on home-equity loans unless proceeds from the loan are used to improve the residence…

While combined GSE servicing still accounted for a hefty 44.9 percent of single-family mortgages, it has continued to drift lower over the course of 2017…

FHFA's Mel Watt: "While it is apparent that a draw will be necessary for each enterprise if tax legislation results in a reduction to the corporate tax rate, FHFA considers the $3 billion capital reserve sufficient to cover other fluctuations in income in the normal course of each Enterprise’s business.”

Sierra Pacific Mortgage, Folsom, CA, is launching a new builder division...

Bill Banfield, EVP of capital markets for Quicken, said he’s noticed an increase in the use of the conventional low-downpayment programs this year….