Nonbank mortgage originations increased by 30.3% on an annual basis in the first half of 2026 while bank production was up 22.2%. (Includes two data tables.)

There will soon be five separate credit scores applicable to mortgages, with varied ranges and outputs. (Includes data table.)

Economists at both Fannie Mae and the MBA project that mortgage rates will average 6.8% in the fourth quarter. Rates started the quarter well above that level with no indications that they’re coming down.

Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, pegs 7% interest rate as “the new normal.”

Lenders expect confusion if the GSEs haven’t implemented FICO 10T before FHA allows for use of the score in January.

Rising interest rates and a slowdown in originations this year have led to a number of layoffs in the mortgage sector.

Homebuilders are continuing to turn to incentives, such as buydowns, to attract more buyers in a competitive real estate market.

The jumbo share of first-lien originations increased from 16.4% in the first quarter of 2026 to 18.8% in the second quarter. Large banks and nonbanks are putting an emphasis on the products. (Includes three data tables.)

The Federal Reserve hiked the federal funds rate by 25 bps this week. The move was already baked into mortgage rates, which aren’t expected to climb much higher even if the Fed hikes rates twice more in the next 12 months.

The FHFA director’s predilection for conducting official business on X provides housing-finance advocates a unique opportunity to lobby him directly.