Key Insight: Federal Reserve Gov. Michael Barr said the economy is currently ‘closest’ to a scenario in which AI gradually raises worker productivity without resulting in sweeping layoffs. Supporting data: Only 17% of firms currently use AI, according to a study cited by Barr. Forward look: Barr says policymakers must prepare for the worst, which […]
Fed’s Barr outlines AI risks to finance, labor market Read More »
Key Insight: Inflation showed signs of cooling in January, with the annual inflation rate dropping to 2.4%. Supporting data: Prices excluding food and fuel rose 0.3% in January, while food increased 0.2% and energy prices ticked down by 1.5%, the report found. Forward look: The January inflation reading remains slightly above the Fed’s longstanding 2%
Inflation cools to 2.4%, bolstering Fed’s cautious rate outlook Read More »
As housing affordability remains strained, policymakers and industry leaders are weighing how regulation, mortgage markets and tax policy shape access to homeownership. Isaac Boltansky, head of public policy at Pennymac, fielded questions on the matter from Robb Van Raaphorst, senior vice president at Rational 360. Boltansky said debate in Washington, D.C., reflects growing urgency around
Pennymac leader on policy shifts to ease homeownership barriers Read More »
The U.S. housing market may be poised for a historic surge as pent-up demand meets a potentially lower rate environment. As part of an expert panel at HousingWire’s 2026 Housing Economic Summit, MBS Highway founder and CEO Barry Habib said the first move downward in mortgage rates could trigger a rush of buyers who have
Barry Habib, Logan Mohtashami say housing market set for pent-up demand surge Read More »
Key Insight: The FOMC is expected to keep short-term interest rates unchanged at its January meeting, reflecting a cautious approach amid mixed economic signals. Expert Quote: “The timing of further rate cuts in 2026 will depend on whether recent progress in lowering inflation continues, as well as the ongoing health of the employment situation amid
Fed likely to keep rates steady as economy shows mixed signals Read More »
In the mortgage industry, the initial reaction to President Donald Trump’s proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 10% has been concern that the policy could ultimately backfire on would-be homebuyers. The cap might seem beneficial on paper, but the long-term consequences, including reduced credit availability, could outweigh the benefits, mortgage professionals told HousingWire.
Mortgage pros warn credit card rate cap could backfire on homebuyers Read More »
Al Drago/Bloomberg Processing Content Key Insight: Fed Vice Chair Michelle Bowman said labor market risks remain elevated and cautioned against signaling a policy pause as the central bank weighs its next moves. Expert Quote: “We should also avoid signaling that we will pause without identifying that conditions have changed. Doing so will indicate that we
Fed’s Bowman ‘continues to see downside risk’ to labor market Read More »
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg Processing Content Key Insight: Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said the labor market is continuing to cool, though he wants to see additional data before deciding how monetary policy should proceed. Expert Quote: “My guess is we’re pretty close to neutral right now, and we just need to get more data to
Fed’s Kashkari flags concern about labor market Read More »
Vincent Alban/Bloomberg Processing Content Key Insight: Both regional Federal Reserve presidents, who are voting members of the Federal Open Market Committee in 2025, said they wanted interest rates to remain unchanged because of inflation concerns and a lack of official data. Expert Quote: “Inflation remains too high, the economy shows continued momentum, and the labor
Fed’s Goolsbee, Schmid lay out case for interest rate pause Read More »
The American Financial Services Association (AFSA), the nation’s oldest and largest consumer credit trade group, on Tuesday released its quarterly Consumer Credit Conditions Index. It found that AFSA members’ assessment of current conditions turned slightly negative in the third quarter of 2025. More respondents reported worsening business conditions than improving conditions, pushing the survey’s Net
Stress appears for consumer credit conditions Read More »