Key insight: The White House issued an executive order directing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and bank regulators to tailor mortgage rules for community banks. What’s at stake: The move is part of a broader Republican strategy to shore up its credibility around housing affordability ahead of the 2026 midterms, and comes as a bipartisan […]
White House order to increase small bank mortgage lending Read More »
Key Insight: U.S. District Judge James Boasberg wrote in documents unsealed Friday that the Trump administration produced no evidence to suspect Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell of a crime, justifying the tossing of the subpoenas. The Justice Department said it would challenge the decision. Expert quote: “The Government has produced essentially zero evidence to suspect
Judge tosses out ‘unsubstantiated’ subpoenas into Powell Read More »
Lennar’s management is working through the various challenges facing homebuilders: not just the Iran conflict, but also the antipathy against institution investor purchasers. Processing Content In its first fiscal quarter, which ended on Feb. 28, Lennar earned $229 million, less than half of the $520 million it made for the same period in 2025. The
Lennar profit drops 56% amid rates, Iran uncertainty Read More »
Key insight: Bank enforcement actions fell by 55% during the first year of the Trump administration, according to data compiled by financial advisory firm Klaros. Supporting data: Klaros’ analysis shows that agencies issued 20 enforcement actions in the first quarter of 2025, but reduced that number to two by the fourth quarter. Terminated enforcement actions,
Enforcement is down under Trump. Is that a problem? Read More »
Movement on plans for an offering of shares from government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is likely to be tabled until after the midterm elections, according to a Wedbush report. Processing Content “The only discussion we are expecting from the administration regarding these two until after the midterms, if at all, is around the
Fannie, Freddie share sale likely after midterms or later Read More »
Florida-based real estate firm MV Realty sees a potential new legal challenge even after settling another of the numerous lawsuits that accuse it of predatory entrapment in regards to its controversial homeowner benefit agreement program. Processing Content Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced her office reached an agreement with the firm, issuing a $2.25
MV Realty settles NTRAP suit, but more legal woes loom Read More »
The Senate this morning passed a version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, earning generally positive reviews from the mortgage industry, though some trade groups raised concerns about what the bill includes and what needs to be changed. Processing Content Passage of the bill was overwhelming with 89 votes in favor to just
Mortgage groups split after Senate passes housing bill Read More »
The Mortgage Bankers Association has called for Department of Veterans Affairs policymakers to match the new partial claim more closely to borrower options offered in other parts of the market. Processing Content “As drafted, veterans will continue to have worse options than similarly situated non-veterans,” Pete Mills, MBA’s senior vice president of residential policy and
Mortgage bankers want VA’s partial claim aligned with market Read More »
Key insight: The Senate passed housing legislation by a wide bipartisan margin, but the House is less likely to do so. What’s at stake: The Mortgage Bankers Association has complained that a “drafting error” in a section of the bill prohibiting investment companies from buying single-family homes would reduce the construction of multifamily housing. Forward
Housing bill passes Senate, but window of opportunity narrows Read More »
Mortgage rates zoomed up 11 basis points this week as the Iran war wreaked havoc on oil prices, putting both the bond and equity markets in turmoil. Processing Content The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.11% on March 12, the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey reported. This compared with last week’s 6% and a year
Iran war pushes mortgage rates near yearly high Read More »