Two new members of the consumer panel come from the fintech world: Sameh Elamawy, CEO of Scratch, and Manning Field, CEO of Acorns.

The CFPB should drop the current debt-to-income ratio cap and the so-called GSE patch from the qualified-mortgage definition, the Urban Institute recommends. The CFPB is required by statute to review the ability-to-repay rule, which includes the QM definition, and issue a final report on its findings by Jan. 10, 2019. One of the most important elements of the review could be the fate of the “GSE patch,” which is set to expire in January 2021, or on the day ...

It may be hard to fathom, but Fannie and Freddie once played with very sharp elbows…

If all goes well, the net proceeds will total $20.25 million.

Then again, maybe needing a CEO is overblown. James Fenkner, a GSE shareholder, told Inside Mortgage Finance: “It is not that the CEOs are paid too little…”

The refi surge may be attributable to more cash-out transactions.

Wells Fargo accounted for 15.0 percent of all jumbo mortgages originated during the first half of 2018…

Single-family mortgage business at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac grew substantially from July to August, according to an Inside The GSEs analysis of mortgage-backed securities data. The two firms issued $79.34 billion of single-family MBS last month, a 20.5 percent increase from July’s volume. That brought year-to-date volume to $523.40 billion, down 6.1 percent from the first eight months of 2017. [Includes two data charts.]

Variations of a mortgage program that guarantees a $1,000 credit toward borrowers’ closing costs if the loan does not close on time are now a big hit in the market, according to some lenders. Under such programs, lenders provide a guarantee on the timely closing of their loan. If for some reason, closing is delayed or postponed beyond the initial closing date, the originator will pay the borrower $1,000 to cover closing costs. Inside Mortgage Trends looked at three mortgage lenders and found ...

Stearns Lending this week rolled out a new partnership program to acquire equity stakes in independent retail mortgage banking franchises as it tries to broaden its origination base. Under the company’s “Preferred Partner Platform,” Stearns will offer its lending partners technology and operational support as well as capital markets assistance, said company CEO David Schneider. Participating lenders are able to maintain their brand identity, management and culture. The first acquisition was ...