The Mortgage Bankers Association has called for the creation of a national housing policy director position in the White House.

Some see Freddie Mac’s proposal to acquire second liens as a way to boost originations of the products. Others suggest that GSE involvement in the sector will have minimal impact as demand from borrowers appears to be limited.

With banking regulators considering how to revise their Basel III endgame proposal, the U.S. Mortgage Insurers stressed that regulators should look more favorably on loans with private MI.

A proposal from the Urban Institute calls for a revamp of the refi process to make it more equitable for lower-income borrowers and borrowers of color.

A lender’s reconsideration of valuation process must include disclosure to the borrower at the point of a loan application and again when the borrower receives the appraisal.

Correspondent sales of government-insured mortgages originated during 2023 declined somewhat on an annual basis, but Veterans United upped its sales by 7.3%. (Includes data table.)

The Biden administration’s fiscal year 2025 budget request allocates $72.6 billion for HUD, which is higher by about $500 million from the FY23 enacted level.

Jeffrey Weidell, CEO of Northmarq, testified before a House oversight subcommittee last month on behalf of the MBA.

Improvements to the FHA home equity conversion mortgage program will help seniors maintain housing stability and financial security in retirement, according to Urban Institute’s Amalie Zinn.

FHA plans outreach and training to lenders and appraisers on the rule’s impact.