As severe weather events batter major housing markets, borrowers are finding it difficult and expensive to obtain homeowners insurance, according to panelists at a Mortgage Bankers Association conference.

Low-income borrowers could divert some of their downpayment funds to a reserve account that would pay loan costs during emergencies in a pilot program proposed by the Urban Institute.

Rocket, UWM offer low-downpayment products; CFPB finds sharp differences in loan pricing; servicing profits improve; timing for recession unclear; quantifying the refi boom; Freddie improves paystub analysis; Blend offers soft credit pulls; MISMO seeks comments on closing standards; Maxwell acquires capital markets provider; fractional homeownership.