The odds that the Federal Reserve will cut benchmark interest rates again in December are still high — but not as high as they were before last week’s cut. As of Monday, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch tool, 70% of interest rate traders are anticipating another 25-basis-point pullback after the Fed’s final meeting of […]
Fed interest rate cut odds drop amid inflation concerns Read More »
Mortgage industry experts are divided over the idea of allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to increase their purchases of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) in order to reduce mortgage rates, a proposal recently suggested by trade groups. While the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) could create demand quickly amid a reduction in the Federal Reserve’s presence in the
Debate heats up around GSEs’ potentially larger role as MBS buyers Read More »
A growing number of economists believe that the Federal Reserve is close to announcing the end of its quantitative tightening (QT) program — a move that could have wide-reaching implications for the mortgage industry. Over the past few weeks, central bank officials have signaled they are prepared to wind down the policy aimed at shrinking
Fed prepares to pivot balance sheet, with potential ripple effects for mortgages Read More »
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is seeking public feedback on its proposed strategic plan for 2026–2030, the agency announced Wednesday. The document, described as “consistent with its statutory requirements and President Trump’s executive orders,” marks a sharp shift from the Biden-era plan. It introduces new priorities such as fraud detection and deregulation, while scaling
FHFA proposes 2026-2030 strategic plan, signaling shift under Trump administration Read More »
Let’s talk seller impersonation fraud. While this scam has been nationwide for a few years now, it is likely to become more prevalent as we head into 2026. So, how does it work, and what should everyone in real estate know about it? It starts with a phone call or an email. A “seller” wants
7 ways title companies can combat seller impersonation fraud Read More »
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC on Wednesday that he’ll soon be giving President Donald Trump several candidates to serve as the next chair of the Federal Reserve. “Likely sometime after Thanksgiving, in December, we’ll present the president with three or four candidates for him to interview,” Bessent told CNBC’s Sara Eisen. Bessent disclosed that he’s trimmed the
Trump to receive Fed chair candidates in December Read More »
Fair Finance Watch, a self-described watchdog for the financial services industry, has filed early opposition to Fifth Third Bank‘s proposed acquisition of Comerica, urging the Federal Reserve to hold public hearings and scrutinize the Cincinnati-based lender’s mortgage lending record before approving the deal. In a letter sent Oct. 8 to Fed Chair Jerome Powell and
Fair Finance Watch opposes Fifth Third-Comerica merger Read More »
Fifth Third and Comerica announced on Monday that they have signed a definitive merger agreement in an all-stock transaction valued at $10.9 billion, creating the nation’s ninth-largest bank with approximately $288 billion in assets. Comerica’s website detailed that shareholders will receive 1.8663 Fifth Third shares for each Comerica share, valuing the deal at $82.88 per
Fifth Third buys Comerica in nearly $11B deal Read More »
Despite rumors earlier this year that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was investigating Zillow and Redfin over their $100 million rental syndication deal, the announcement that the FTC was suing the two companies still carried an element of surprise. “This shows that the Federal government is still looking hard at the realty space,” Chuck Cain,
Why the FTC is targeting Zillow and Redfin’s rental deal Read More »
Zillow and Redfin are facing yet another lawsuit related to their multifamily rental syndication deal. On Wednesday, attorneys general in Virginia, Arizona, New York, Connecticut and Washington filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, that makes claims identical to those alleged by the the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its lawsuit filed
5 states sue Zillow, Redfin over $100M agreement after FTC suit Read More »