Zillow and Redfin must turn over documents related to their $100 million rental syndication agreement, according to a court order issued on Thursday in the antitrust lawsuit filed by state and federal regulators. On Thursday, Judge William Porter ruled that the defendants must comply with the document production requests issued by the Federal Trade Commission […]
State regulators and consumer advocates are pushing back against two proposals from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) that would expand banks’ authority over escrow accounts and assert that federal law preempts state rules that govern these accounts. In a joint letter, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the American
OCC escrow plan opposed by regulators, consumer advocates Read More »
The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady Wednesday in a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%. The decision was widely expected as little has changed since December in the balance of risks tied to its dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability, economists said. “Available indicators suggest that economic activity has been
Federal Reserve keeps benchmark rate unchanged Read More »
TikTok has finalized a deal to form a new U.S. entity with investors that include Oracle, Silver Lake and Emirati firm MGX, easing the threat of a nationwide ban and allowing the social media app to continue operating for more than 200 million American users. The company said Thursday that the new TikTok U.S. joint
TikTok forms US entity, easing social media marketing concerns for mortgage pros Read More »
Multiple mortgage lending trade groups are urging the White House to take administrative steps to lower the costs of home loans, arguing that federal regulations have driven up borrowing expenses as affordability worsens. In a letter sent Wednesday to White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, the Mortgage Bankers Association, America’s Credit Unions and
Trade groups push for lower FHA premiums, LLPA cuts Read More »
Housing industry participants will closely watch President Donald Trump in Davos, where he is expected to outline measures aimed at improving housing affordability. His speech is expected for Wednesday. Potential initiatives include ideas Trump has already floated on social media, such as encouraging Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to expand their purchases of mortgage-backed securities
Trump heads to Davos with housing ideas as industry looks for concrete fixes Read More »
As we prepare to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s important to pause and reflect not only on Dr. King’s national legacy, but also on the work he did in my hometown of Chicago that continues to shape lives, opportunities and generational progress today. Dr. King’s Chicago campaign and the fight for fair housing
How MLK’s Fight for Homeownership Equality Changed My Life Read More »
The future of the Federal Reserve‘s leadership is in limbo due to an investigation into current Fed Chair Jerome Powell that has prompted bipartisan backlash. Following the news about a Department of Justice (DOJ) probe into Powell, Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Elizabeth Warren of (D-Mass.) accused Trump of using the DOJ to pressure Powell
DOJ investigation clouds future of Fed chair nomination Read More »
News that the proposed merger between Compass and Anywhere would close this week came as a surprise to many in the industry, especially those who were anticipating a robust antitrust review of the deal. Several news outlets are reporting that antitrust regulators were blocked from a deeper investigation into the deal by officials higher up in
WSJ: DOJ leadership halted antitrust review of Compass–Anywhere deal Read More »
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac quietly increased their purchases of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) in 2025, helping push mortgage spreads lower toward the year’s end. Most analysts, however, were not expecting further meaningful tightening in the near term — at least until this week. That changed Thursday after President Donald Trump posted on social media that
Trump directs GSEs to purchase $200B in mortgage bonds in 2025 Read More »