Bill to limit trigger leads passes in House; Fannie economists see higher interest rates; home prices decline in April; HUD on the move; FHFA directs GSEs to propose using cryptocurrency in calculations for mortgage applicant’s reserves.

The Mortgage Bankers Association has suggested the FHFA end its tri-merge process, replacing it with a single credit report rather than the bi-merge model as currently planned.

Wells Fargo has the freedom to increase activity in various financial products now that the bank is out from under an asset cap. And officials at the bank have plenty of plans for growth, but not with mortgages.

Home lending is picking up, but not dramatically. And that means mortgage bankers are being cautious about hiring.

Bayview to acquire Guild; Senate approves trigger leads bill; REIT to acquire non-QM lender, Fairway to acquire retail lender; trade groups seek exemption for real estate from potential new tax.

Cenlar is building a new warehouse finance operation and mortgage conduit, adding to its leading subservicing offering.

Agency securitization of high-balance loans declined by 46.0% in the first quarter. The non-agency jumbo share of first liens was flat compared with the fourth quarter while the agency high-balance share dwindled. (Includes three data tables.)

Industry participants are worried the Trump administration is using a chainsaw, rather than a scalpel, in its deregulation efforts.

Both the correspondent and broker channels have gained share from the retail channel. The first quarter of 2025 marked the third straight quarter in which retail accounted for less than 50% of total first-lien originations. (Includes six data tables.)

In response to deregulatory efforts by the Trump administration, the MBA and ABA suggested ways to boost bank mortgage activity.