Flush with deposits, U.S. banks are buying up mortgage bonds and betting that the asset class will get a further boost in 2026 from relaxed capital rules.Late last year, commercial bank holdings of mortgage paper reached the highest level since 2023, and stood at more than $2.7 trillion toward the end of December, according to […]
Banks snatch up MBS that notched best returns since 2002 Read More »
The 30-year fixed rate mortgage is ending 2025 at its lowest point for the year, but still in the same flat range it occupied since late October, according to Freddie Mac. Processing Content The rate for this mortgage averaged 6.15% on Dec. 31, down from last week when it was at 6.18%, the Freddie Mac
Conforming mortgage rate ends year at low point Read More »
A key mortgage rate fell to its lowest point since the end of October and was one basis point higher than its 2025 trough but remained in the same general range it has occupied in the fourth quarter, Freddie Mac reported. Processing Content “The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage decreased further this week,” said Sam Khater,
Benchmark mortgage rate drops to second lowest point in 2025 Read More »
The mortgage industry is still weighing the impact of the latest Federal Open Market Committee short-term rate reduction on housing. Processing Content But reflecting trends prior to the meeting in the benchmark 10-year Treasury used to price mortgages, the 30-year fixed rate gained 3 basis points, while the 15-year climbed 10 basis points, the Freddie
Mortgage rates higher after FOMC rate cut priced in Read More »
In a highly expected move, the Federal Reserve cut its federal funds rate on Wednesday, but Chairman Jerome Powell’s comments ultimately may have more influence on whether policy provides a boost for lenders and home buyers. Processing Content The central bank slashed its funds rate by 25 basis points at the close of the Federal
Fed moves won’t move needle on housing — yet Read More »
Mortgage rates again have moved lower, but given how the 10-year Treasury yield increased in the past eight days, prior to next week’s Fed meeting, this might be transitory. “Mortgage rates decreased for the second straight week as we emerged from the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist in a press release.
Mortgage rates move lower in advance of FOMC meeting Read More »
Mortgage rates inched down this week, and they are likely to remain stable throughout the rest of the year. After three consecutive weeks of upticks, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped 0.3 basis points to 6.23% from last week when it averaged 6.26%. The 30-year rate averaged 6.81% this week a year ago. The 15-year
Mortgage rates tick down for first time this month Read More »
Homebuyers are watching the economy closely, and for good reason. Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases most people ever make. And some recession talk in the media has made a lot of would-be buyers second guess their plans. In the latest LendingTree survey, almost 2 in 3 Americans said they think a
Most Experts Are Not Worried About a Recession Read More »
Mortgage rates rose again this week after the federal government shutdown ended, giving investors access to economic data to guide their decisions. Industry pundits and prognosticators today largely believe that, at least through the rest of 2025, nothing in the data is likely to move mortgage rates much. Even though it was compiled before
Mortgage rates likely to remain stable for the rest of 2025 Read More »
Key insight: Unemployment ticked slightly up to 4.4% — from 4.3% in August — and revisions of prior reports show weaker employment gains over the summer. Supporting data: The economy added 119,000 jobs and 7.6 million unemployed, with major losses in transportation and government offset by gains in health care and social services. Forward look:
Unemployment persistent, jobs up in September Read More »