The Urban Institute, with funding from the National Fair Housing Alliance, has developed resources lenders can use to launch special purpose credit programs.

Originations of home equity loans declined in the fourth quarter as interest rates increased. Though HELOCs still dominate home equity production, closed-end second liens gained share in 2023. (Includes three data tables.)

The National Association of Realtors’ recent settlement could prompt a decline in the commission of a homebuyer’s real estate agent. The change could put pressure on both homebuyers and lenders.

Employee count increased at United Wholesale Mortgage in 2023, while at Rocket Companies it was down 20.5% on an annual basis. (Includes data table.)

The CFPB is looking at various closing costs, raising concerns about a lack of competition. Trade groups representing mortgage lenders stress that closing costs are adequately disclosed and well regulated.

Industry trade groups as well as analysts believe the proposed waiver pilot is purely a political gesture and will, in fact, expose borrowers and lenders to financial risk.

What does the stalled mortgage job market need? An interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Otherwise, limited hiring and layoffs will be the order of the day.

Millennials, defined as borrowers aged 27 to 42, received the majority of mortgage offers made through LendingTree’s platform.

Housing Secretary Fudge resigns; IRS postpones controversial changes to IVES; regulators to alter Basel capital proposal; banking regulators waive appraisal requirements in Maui; feedback sought on bank call-report proposal.

Production of agency high-balance loans held up slightly better than the downturn in non-agency jumbo originations, but both sectors recorded big quarterly declines.