According to the newspaper, Watt – a former Democratic Congressman from North Carolina – is under investigation for alleged sexual harassment of an employee.

An estimated $445.0 billion of first-lien home loans were originated during the second quarter, an 18.7 percent sequential gain…

In early July, the REIT closed on its previously announced $190 million purchase of Shellpoint Partners, an acquisition that includes mortgage banking firm New Penn Financial.

After months of gathering and reviewing comments on credit-scoring options, the Federal Housing Finance Agency abruptly called off its plan to announce new guidelines for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by the end of this year. The two major credit-score providers aren’t happy with the news.

If nonbanks and real estate investment trusts eventually gain access to the Federal Home Loan Bank system – and the discount borrowing window – they can credit the FHLBank of Chicago, which continues to push the membership issue in Congress.

Should Fannie/Freddie profits be put in a government lockbox?

Among those weighing in on GSE capital: Michael Stegman, senior fellow at the Milken Institute, and former FHFA Acting Director Ed DeMarco...

Chris Boyle, chief client officer at Freddie Mac: “I don’t know how half of you make money.”

At June 30, Flagstar serviced $120.3 billion in home mortgages, but 77.5 percent of that represents subservicing contracts…

But AEI researchers weren’t the only ones throwing bombs…