New downpayment assistance programs and tracking of rental payment history for underwriting purposes are among the suggestions put forward by two Urban Institute researchers.

Some 13.8% of the total number of applications for conventional-conforming mortgages submitted last year were denied, compared to 14.3% in 2022. Denials for refinances jumped. (Includes data table.)

The Federal Reserve, FHFA, large banks and the GSEs are all struggling to model the future impact of climate change, both on their specific businesses and on the broader economy.

Rocket and A&D Mortgage have developed new AI solutions, and plan to offer more automation tools in the coming months.

Income and employment data verification provider Argyle believes verification waterfalls can help lenders save time and money during the loan origination process.

Researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York tracked the recovery of borrowers who foreclosed in 2008 and borrowers with similar characteristics but who did not foreclose.

HUD issues guidance on mortgage advertising; UWM expands title services for brokers; Freedom issues debt; Incenter offers review services for taxes and insurance; most housing inventory in Florida, Texas.

Agency securitizations of correspondent loans were sharply down in the first quarter of 2024 as volume dropped across the board. Refinances made a surprising surge, while credit quality remained unchanged. (Includes two data tables.)

Philadelphia-based Republic Bank focused its mortgage production on jumbos with below-market rates. The bank also held agency MBS that lost value as interest rates increased.

As home affordability remains elusive, the housing industry is raising the profile of assumable loans.