Appraisers have dramatically reduced the use of prohibited words in their valuations, a sign Fannie has made strides in limiting bias against protected classes.

Most lawmakers and industry stakeholders drew attention to the need for more housing supply.

Mortgage companies need to have a plan and a team in place to handle potential cyberattacks, according to security experts.

The Urban Institute, with funding from the National Fair Housing Alliance, has developed resources lenders can use to launch special purpose credit programs.

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals called for more public policy to support Hispanic lending, including through special purpose credit programs.

Lenders look to remote online notarization; Ocrolus offers rep-and-warrant coverage for income calculations; ICE offers tool to facilitate reconsiderations of appraisals; Planet Home launches products to help borrowers compete with cash offers; property insurance costs rise nearly 20%; Flagstar plans tech accelerator program; disconnect on homebuyers’ plans and saving for a downpayment.

The Fed could start cutting rates in June, according to projections by industry analysts. The Fed is also moving toward slowing the runoff of its holdings of Treasury securities and MBS.

Banks are reducing their appetite for mortgages, providing opportunities for nonbanks to boost their investment in the mortgage market. Redwood Trust looks to be leading the way in terms of bank partnerships.

Officials from the secondary mortgage market believe innovations in products, policy and technology can support lenders and borrowers through a difficult housing market.

Hope springs eternal for a revival in Ginnie Mae early buyout activity this year. Two missing ingredients: a steeper decline in mortgage rates and an end to the VA moratorium on foreclosures.