FHFA has been analyzing approaches for reducing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits across the country, "and any such change would be announced with adequate advance notice for implementation on January 1, 2014" the regulator said.

Thomas Hoenig, vice chairman of the FDIC, said he is particularly interested in exploring the downpayment issue further. Securities investors are also likely to push for downpayment requirements for QRMs.

In May, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-FL, flagged the disturbing consumer credit reporting practice of lumping a short sale within the same industry code as a foreclosure in consumer credit reports.

The trend toward private MI is likely to continue in anticipation of the FHA Solvency Act of 2013, which is awaiting action on the Senate floor.

A housing lobbyist added that, “Right now it’s a matter of timing. Will in come in October or a little later than that?”

The FDIC will raise the question of a 30 percent downpayment but don't expect to see it in the final QRM rule.

Today, Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac g-fees average 50 to 55 basis points compared to 24 bp back in 2009.

MountainView Servicing Group has set a bid deadline of August 29 on the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac MSRs.

FHA is seeing its cash reserves increase more than expected. Meanwhile, yet another mortgage vendor is laying off workers.

Fannie Mae is lowering its maximum loan-to-value ratio to 95 percent come November, and there is speculation that the decision could force some of that business over to FHA. The policy change was confirmed by the GSE when it sent out an update to users of its automated processing program, Desktop Underwriter. It also means that mortgage insurers could lose business at a time when many have shown a new willingness to take on more credit risk amid improving delinquencies and earnings. Mark Goldhaber, a former executive at Genworth Financial, which owns an MI company, told ...