A new Fannie Mae study finds that consumers think mortgage underwriting requirements are more stringent than they truly are.

Treasury office considers reforms for title insurance; FHFA sets tenant protections for GSE multifamily borrowers; Biden administration calls for rent control; two states slow on index change.

Researchers find that the climate-related increase in flood damage will boost the cost of subsidizing federal mortgage programs by 44% over the next 30 years. That doesn’t include the costs to homeowners, lenders, insurers or MBS investors.

Federal regulators are working on a re-proposal of a rule that would adjust capital requirements for large banks.

The future looks somewhat positive for loan brokers, but not so for mortgage bankers. Not surprising given production trends, but a Fed rate cut in the fall could change the hiring equation.

The MBA wants significant changes to the Federal Financing Bank risk-sharing program. Reforms are also needed in the multifamily accelerated processing program, according to the trade group.

Consumers are showing increased optimism about the housing market, but supply challenges and interest rates hurt affordability levels.

SoFi expects to see further growth in its share of mortgage originations due to the acquisition of Wyndham Capital Mortgage, which provided SoFi with mortgage fulfillment processes.

Many large nonbank mortgage lenders increased production by double digits during the first quarter of 2024 while total originations were up only 3.2% from the fourth quarter. (Includes data table.)

The first quarter of 2024 was trying for most privately held nonbanks, but it appears volumes and profits turned a corner in the second quarter. The reason: cost cuts and less competition. Call it the “new normal?”