Freddie Mac’s pilot program could dramatically reduce the frustrations lenders face due to repurchase requests for performing loans. For now, the initiative covers 15 lenders.

Counterintuitively, the bi-merge will increase the number of credit pulls necessary to complete the average mortgage loan application. Consumers will ultimately pay for those extra pulls.

Over the years, warehouse finance has been a good business for Texas Capital, but the pain suffered by its nonbank clients over the past year has affected the bank as well. Relief could come when the Fed starts cutting rates.

The commission structure for real estate agents looks likely to change as the National Association of Realtors and brokerages face charges of price fixing. The move is unlikely to have a major impact on mortgage lenders.

An uptick in home sales is helping lenders to have a rosier outlook for 2024, but the mortgage lock-in effect could put a cap on expected growth.

Katie Sweeney, CEO of the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts, is stepping down to lead AIME offshoot Broker Action Coalition.

Banks, nonbanks and consumer advocates have major concerns about a proposal to adjust capital requirements for large banks. The proposal would touch on mortgage lending, MSRs and warehouse lending.

According to an early read, banks suffered double-digit home lending declines in the final lap of 2023 even though rates fell by at least 80 bps.

Fannie Mae has identified a significant number of appraisals conducted by unlicensed appraisers using stolen identities.

The lender said it is working with forensic experts and law enforcement to address the cybersecurity incident.