FHFA Director Pulte frustrated by credit bureaus; mortgage locks decline in December; Mr. Cooper plans layoffs in California.

Leaders at the three major credit bureaus, which own VantageScore, expect to see strong revenues and profits as the GSEs allow VantageScore to compete with FICO.

Delayed financing offers a way for all-cash homebuyers to quickly tap the equity in their home.

Banks and credit unions are struggling to compete with technology-focused lenders who use automation to close home equity loans faster.

Rocket Mortgage is leaning on artificial intelligence to improve lending efficiency. The nonbank is wrapping up its acquisition of Mr. Cooper and already seeing benefits from its acquisition of Redfin.

Mortgage rates aren’t expected to move down much even if the Fed cuts interest rates next month; GSE economists slash projections for home price appreciation; ICE integrates origination and servicing platforms to originate home equity loans; majority of homeowners feeling financially stressed.

FHA and VA purchase-mortgage volume increased by nearly 30% in the second quarter of 2025 compared with the previous quarter. GSE mortgages with private MI and agency purchase mortgages without primary MI lagged behind. (Includes two data tables.)

The MBA projects that nearly 30% of originations will be through eNotes in 2028, up from 10% now. eNotes can help reduce costs for lenders and improve customer service, according to industry participants.

Rocket prevails in shareholder lawsuit alleging insider trading; FHFA director looking into mortgage costs; mortgage tech vendor seeing interest from potential buyers.

Economists at the MBA don’t think interest rates on mortgages will decline much this year. Economists at Fannie Mae project a sizeable drop.