Ironically, providers of attorney opinion letters — an alternative to title insurance — may need insurance to compete with title insurers.

Despite thousands of responses to its RFI, FHFA has settled on a list of protections that is unlikely to make tenants feel much safer.

The FHLBank of Chicago followed the FHLBank of San Francisco in accepting mortgage collateral that uses the new credit score model.

FHFA Director Sandra Thompson said the first test of its recently instituted new products rule went well, despite the relatively short timelines. But critics of Freddie’s new pilot also asked the agency to find ways to stretch out the opportunity to comment.

FHFA issued an RFI on how to simplify and improve the efficiency of the competitive application process for the FHLBanks’ Affordable Housing Programs.

Brian Tomney told the House Financial Services Committee that FHFA has largely embraced OIG recommendations and has evolved from its start-up stage.

Former Treasury official Antonio White takes over as FHFA’s head of media relations, public outreach and Congressional affairs.

The new Federal Advisory Committee on Affordable, Equitable and Sustainable Housing includes a who’s who of housing finance experts, equitable housing advocates and industry representatives.

Stakeholders say the GSEs’ proposed definition of “first-generation homebuyer” in their equitable housing-finance plans unfairly excludes many of the people the enterprises and the FHFA want to help.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, has called for a significant increase in the FHLBanks’ required contribution to affordable housing. She also urged FHFA to change the membership eligibility requirements to encourage more housing and community development activities.