Consumer debt accelerated in December, driven by substantial growth in first mortgage and home equity lines of credit balances, a new industry report showed. Processing Content Total consumer debt in the United States reached $18.2 trillion by the end of last year, with $12.8 trillion attributed to first mortgages, according to Equifax’s fourth quarter consumer […]
Consumer debt accelerates in December, fueled by mortgages Read More »
Helped by a strong fourth quarter, the six active private mortgage insurers wrote 12% more business in 2025 over the prior year. Between the third and fourth quarter, new insurance written grew by 4%, according to a report from Bose George of Keefe Bruyette & Woods. Typically, the last three months of the year are
MI volumes jump 12%, competitive pressure builds Read More »
Although delinquency rates have been steadily rising over the past few years, vacancy and foreclosure rates are seeing little movement, according to a new industry report. Processing Content Nearly 1.4 million homes, or 1.33%, residential properties in the United States were vacant at the beginning of the year, virtually the same as the 1.32% rate
Delinquencies rise, vacancies stay flat Read More »
Consumers are reengaging with the mortgage market, signaling a return to normality in 2026, TransUnion said. Processing Content Mortgage originations rose 6.5% year over year to 1.3 million in the third quarter of last year, but at the same time, the percentage of borrowers 60 or more days delinquent increased to 1.51% in the fourth
TransUnion sees mortgage market normalizing Read More »
Mortgage delinquency rates increased in the most recent quarter, with Federal Housing Administration-backed distress spiking to multiyear highs, according to the latest industry report. Processing Content Delinquencies increased to 4.26% in the fourth quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, jumping up 27 points three months earlier, with upticks observed across all leading loan types. Year
FHA delinquencies rise above 11% Read More »
Mortgage delinquency rates were up in the fourth quarter, with sharper increases in areas with rising unemployment rates and falling home prices, a new industry report shows. Processing Content While credit card and loan delinquency rates have mellowed, albeit at elevated rates, mortgage delinquency rates continued to steadily grow in the fourth quarter, although still
A K-shaped split is emerging in mortgage delinquencies Read More »
Enjoy complimentary access to top ideas and insights — selected by our editors.Want unlimited access to top ideas and insights? Subscribe Now During 2025, the normal caution that usually accompanies matters of finance was suspended. Many stocks and asset classes from AI to crypto tokens achieved lofty heights based upon less than realistic appraisals much
Urban multifamily looks like the new subprime Read More »
Borrower equity reached a four-year low in the fourth quarter of 2025, while underwater mortgages hit its largest share in nearly three years, according to a new industry report. Processing Content Less than 45% of mortgage residential properties in the United States were considered equity-rich last quarter, meaning that the combined estimated amount of loan
Home equity slips to 4-year low as underwater loans rise Read More »
Foreclosure- and bank-owned auction volume jumped to their highest levels in years, but buying activity didn’t keep pace with the rise in inventory, according to the latest report from Auction.com. Processing Content Foreclosure inventory, which makes up the majority of distressed auction properties, leaped 48% year over year in the recent fourth quarter to its
Foreclosure auction inventory rises to near 6-year high Read More »
Nearly three quarters of lenders expect mortgage volume to improve in 2026, but their confidence is concentrated in refinancings and home equity lending. Processing Content Those expectations from the National Mortgage News Predictions 2026 survey, which was fielded online during November and December among 156 mortgage-industry professionals. More than half, 55% of respondents, work at
Lenders predict 2026 rebound led by refis and home equity Read More »