The House of Representatives this week passed legislation extending the National Flood Insurance Program for another four months, while a House committee reported out a bill revising the definition of “points and fees” under the federal Truth in Lending Act.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently announced plans to create a “regulatory sandbox” to encourage consumer-friendly innovation in financial services. The mortgage industry sees it as an opportunity to enhance the emerging niche of loans that fall outside the qualified mortgage standard.

Fannie Mae recently announced plans to simplify its private mortgage insurance cancellation policy. In a letter that went out to lenders last week, the government-sponsored enterprise updated the different methods for verifying current property values.

Trends with housing inventory, home prices and interest rates appear to be holding back home sales and originations of purchase mortgages, according to industry analysts.

Should Fannie/Freddie profits be put in a government lockbox?

Among those weighing in on GSE capital: Michael Stegman, senior fellow at the Milken Institute, and former FHFA Acting Director Ed DeMarco...

Chris Boyle, chief client officer at Freddie Mac: “I don’t know how half of you make money.”

“Customers are more promptly and efficiently served when they contact their financial institution directly with a concern,” said the American Bankers Association…

Some MSR investors are suffering from "buyer exhaustion," said one deal maker...

At June 30, Flagstar serviced $120.3 billion in home mortgages, but 77.5 percent of that represents subservicing contracts…