President Trump’s directive to lower interest rates helped spur a tightening in mortgage spreads, but economists are skeptical of the long-term impact of the move involving GSE purchases of MBS.

Industry participants discussed factors that led to debt service coverage ratio loans becoming commonplace last week at a conference.

The executive order seeks to limit institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, but some market participants believe it would do little to boost housing affordability nationally.

Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner was evasive as members of the House Financial Services Committee asked him to elaborate on his plans and achievements.

President Trump’s announcement that the GSEs will buy $200 billion of agency MBS prompted mortgage spreads to tighten by about 20 basis points and some lenders to offer mortgages below 6.00%.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed industry speculation that President Trump directed the GSEs to purchase $200 billion in MBS to offset Federal Reserve policy.

CFPB Acting Director Russell Vought noted his disagreement with the court’s opinion in his funding request to the Fed. Vought’s time at the bureau is on the clock under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.

Both wholesale and correspondent lending look poised to increase this year, according to industry participants.

Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase increased mortgage production during the fourth quarter.

HUD said its prior assertion that the disparate-impact regulations provided “clarity and predictability” is diminished following the Supreme Court decision overruling the Chevron framework.