Lower mortgage rates prompted mortgage applications to increase 9.2% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA)’s weekly mortgage applications survey for the week ending Sept. 5. Last week’s results include an adjustment for the Labor Day holiday. On an unadjusted basis, the index decreased 3% compared with the previous […]
Mortgage applications jump nearly 10% as rates drop Read More »
On Friday, 46 independent mortgage banks (IMBs) jointly sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and FHFA Director Bill Pulte, laying out priorities for IMBs for a successful Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac exit from conservatorship. Spearheaded by the Community Home Lenders of America (CHLA), the only national group that exclusively represents IMBs, this IMB sign-on
Top 5 IMB priorities for GSEs in a post-conservatorship world Read More »
Boston-based Hometap has closed a $300 million securitization of home equity investment (HEI) loans originated by the company, marking its fifth transaction in the space. The deal, closed on Aug. 29, included a $231 million Class A tranche rated at BBB(sf) and a $12 million Class B tranche rated at BBB(low)(sf) by Morningstar DBRS. “Through
Hometap closes $300M securitization of home equity investments Read More »
Mortgage rates at their lowest levels in nearly a year are driving a wave of refinance opportunities for lenders ahead of the Federal Reserve’s expected rate cut next week. The shift is encouraging more borrowers to leave the sidelines, with small rate moves already triggering meaningful activity. “Refinance businesses increased significantly from the first quarter,
With a Fed rate cut likely, how big could the refinance wave be? Read More »
President Donald Trump on Friday signed the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 2808), establishing a nationwide ban on the abusive use of trigger leads beginning in March 2026. The legislation had broad mortgage industry support. It cleared the House in June and the Senate by unanimous consent in August, with bipartisan sponsorship from Reps. John
Trump signs law banning trigger leads Read More »
ICE Mortgage Technology is building the future of housing finance with an integrated solution suite powered by automation, advanced data, and AI. By evolving its Encompass platform with modern APIs and fostering a collaborative partner network, the company is simplifying the entire mortgage process, assisting lenders and servicers to deliver an exceptional borrower experience. Spearheading
The end-to-end Advantage: How ICE Mortgage Technology Is redefining mortgage innovation Read More »
Rocket Companies has extended the deadline for investors to exchange debt issued by a Mr. Cooper Group subsidiary for the lender’s own paper — a step tied to its $9.4 billion acquisition of the competitor. The deadline moved from Sept. 2 to Sept. 30, still leaving enough time for the deal to close in the
Rocket pushes back debt exchange deadline amid Mr. Cooper deal Read More »
Mortgage lending increased in the second quarter 2025, with nearly 1.76 million residential loans issued nationwide, according to ATTOM’s quarterly mortgage origination report. It was the first time since 2021 that the second quarter saw an annualized increase. The total number from April through June marked a 19.4% rise from the first quarter and a
Mortgage lending activity sees ‘typical spring bounce’ Read More »
Texans Credit Union launched its first-time homebuyer program on Thursday, introducing three new loan options to spur home purchase activity. The three loan options include: Low down payment mortgages that require as little as 3% down. Flexible-rate loans The “Home Extra 105” package, which finances a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of up to 105% to cover
Texans Credit Union announces 105% LTV financing option Read More »
The old playbook of financing mainly single-family, site-built homes is getting a radical makeover, and we’re pleased to note that, looking at the numbers, down payment assistance (DPA) programs are leading this charge, allowing buyers to use funds to purchase manufactured homes, multi-family properties and newly constructed homes. Lenders can use DPA to reduce a
How DPA is rewriting the lending playbook Read More »