The National Flood Insurance Program was scheduled to expire on Dec. 3 You might say disaster was avoided, for now.

A full Senate vote on Julia Gordon’s nomination as FHA commissioner could slip into 2022, while the Senate Banking Committee could vote on Alanna McCargo’s nomination as Ginnie Mae president this week.

FHA must do more to ensure its lenders approve only loans for borrowers who meet the program’s statutory, regulatory and eligibility requirements, the HUD’s internal auditor said.

The FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund ended fiscal 2021 with a capital ratio of 8.03%, more than four times its statutory minimum. As anticipated, the industry wants FHA to follow up with premium cuts.

If capital and liquidity requirements for nonbank servicers are too stringent, firms could leave the business and borrowers’ costs for mortgages could increase.

The Downpayment Toward Equity Act, sponsored by Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-GA, would grant up to $25,000 in assistance to first-generation homebuyers. Its fate, though, depends on the final size of the Build Back Better Act.

Analysts are betting the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund will be healthy enough to propel the FHA to lower premiums early next year.

Assessing the legacy of former FHFA Director Mark Calabria: Did he do more harm than good? All depends on your line of business.

A risk-based capital regime could be in the works for Fannie and Freddie, though some GSE watchers suggest the whole exercise could be in flux. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo has a new servicing chief, Ann Thorn from Caliber Home Loans.

The agency market — FHA/VA and conventional conforming — still accounted for 86% of first-lien originations, but jumbo and ECM lending are gaining ground. (Includes two data charts.)