Industry watchers believe the abruptly cancelled FHFA/HUD press conference was tied to implementation of VantageScore 4.0.

Deliveries of purchase mortgages to agency MBS were essentially level in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the first quarter of 2025. Refi business remained elevated. (Includes two data tables.)

The Broker Action Coalition is asking its members to bring their credit report bills to the trade group’s Washington fly-in this month so DC politicians can see how much a monopoly costs.

Economists quantify the impact of demand shocks on lender-set rates and origination efficiency.

Investors are expected to take time to adjust to new credit score models and the potential end of the tri-merge scoring requirement at the GSEs.

Former Freddie CEO believes most prospective remedies to the affordability crisis will benefit only borrowers who don’t need the help.

In mid-December, MBA was projecting interest rates would hold at 6.4% throughout 2026. However, MBA now anticipates the average rate will be 6.1% in the first quarter and hold at that level through the year.

President Trump’s announcement that the GSEs will buy $200 billion of agency MBS prompted mortgage spreads to tighten by about 20 basis points and some lenders to offer mortgages below 6.00%.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed industry speculation that President Trump directed the GSEs to purchase $200 billion in MBS to offset Federal Reserve policy.

UWM finished as the top agency seller in 2025, with annual volume up 22.2% from the previous year. Like many companies, its fourth-quarter sales rose dramatically thanks to heavy refinance volume.