Combined, banks and thrifts reported $2.21 billion in mortgage-banking income during the third quarter, a slight increase from the previous period. Through the first nine months of the year, industry earnings were up 8.7% from the same period in 2023. (Includes data table.)

Sales of mortgages by banks increased by 20.5% in the third quarter even as the top bank reduced its sales. Eight of the 10 top banks boosted their sales from the second quarter. (Includes two data tables.)

Additional inventory is expected to hit the market next year but homebuyers are expected to continue to face affordability issues.

Federal Reserve researchers found that pandemic-era interest rates reduced mobility by 44%, as many homeowners are reluctant to let go of their low interest rates.

More needs to be done to close the racial and ethnic homeownership gaps, according to speakers at a conference hosted by the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders.

In a recent survey, real estate agents told HomeLight that changes to their commission structure has caused confusion for their clients and added new hurdles to the homebuying process.

The data tape is designed to replace the data tape established by the American Securitization Forum in 2009, providing more standardization to the prime non-agency MBS market.

The Mortgage Bankers Association said the new early-buyout securitization would provide issuers more liquidity in times of stress.

A AAA-rated tranche of a commercial MBS issued after 2010 suffered losses recently, a first for the market. The Financial Stability Oversight Council said such losses are not likely to be widespread.

At yearend, traders and lenders are trying to get a handle on the direction of interest rates, with geopolitical events potentially playing a larger role than originally thought.