Mortgage applications are on the upswing as interest rates and spreads fall. FHFA says Trump is responsible, but critics disagree.

Mortgages tied to Ginnie Mae accounted for 18.3% of total servicing outstanding at the end of September. Some servicing share shifted away from the GSEs, though Fannie and Freddie still dominate. (Includes two data tables.)

The MBA advanced a proposal to limit the tri-merge requirements on GSE mortgages to applicants with credit scores below 700, in an effort to reduce the cost of originating loans. Some argue that the real problem is pulling scores for borrowers who are never going to qualify for a mortgage.

Kenny Smith worked at Deloitte for more than 25 years before retiring in 2020. He isn’t well known among mortgage industry participants.

Long-time industry analyst Chris Whalen said the GSE plans to disqualify some types of capital from use to calculate net worth.

The MBA continues to argue that the credit scores provided by Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are now so similar that lenders shouldn’t be required to pull all three. Credit bureaus disagree.

Conforming loan limits for mortgages sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will rise by 3.3% in 2026, the smallest increase since 2017.

While government-insured mortgages are assumable, few assumptions are completed due to various obstacles. GSE mortgages were also assumable until the 1980s, when legal issues prompted a change.

The Basel III re-proposal could include relief for mortgages; FICO to release historical data for 10T score.

The Mortgage Bankers Association has called on lawmakers to end tri-merge requirements for loans sold to the government-sponsored enterprises following reports of increased pricing for credit reports.