Lending

FHFA: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Refinance Volume Down in First Quarter 2018 as Mortgage Rates Rise

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today reported that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac completed 356,003 refinances in the first quarter of 2018, compared with 446,295 in the fourth quarter of 2017.  FHFA’s first quarter Refinance Report also shows that 4,139 loans were refinanced through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), bringing the total number of HARP…

HUD: Department Seeks Public Comment on Disparate Impact Regulation

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it will formally seek the public’s comment on whether its 2013 Disparate Impact Regulation is consistent with the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. “HUD remains committed to making sure housing-related…

CFPB: Spring 2018 Rulemaking Agenda Released

The Bureau’s general purpose, as specified in section 1021 of the Dodd-Frank Act, is to implement and enforce federal consumer financial law consistently for the purpose of ensuring that all consumers have access to markets for consumer financial products and services and that markets for consumer financial products and services are fair, transparent, and competitive….

FFIEC: 2017 HMDA Data on Mortgage Lending Now Available

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) today announced the availability of data on mortgage lending transactions at 5,852 U.S. financial institutions covered by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Covered institutions include banks, savings associations, credit unions, and mortgage companies. Released today are loan-level HMDA data that cover 2017 lending activity submitted by financial…

CFPB: FFIEC Announces Availability of 2017 HMDA Data on Mortgage Lending

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) today announced the availability of data on mortgage lending transactions at 5,852 U.S. financial institutions covered by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Covered institutions include banks, savings associations, credit unions, and mortgage companies. Released today are loan-level HMDA data that cover 2017 lending activity submitted by financial…

FHFA: Correction and Extended Comment Period for Proposed Rule Amending FHLB Affordable Housing Program Regulation

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that it is extending the comment period for the Agency’s proposed rule to amend the Federal Home Loan Banks’ Affordable Housing Program by 30 days.  The comment period was previously set to close on May 14, 2018, 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.  The comment…

FHFA: Index Shows Mortgage Rates Increased in March 2018

Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages increased from February to March, according to several indices of new mortgage contracts. The National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders Index was 4.49 percent for loans closed in late March, up 21 basis points from 4.28 percent in February….

CFPB: Amendent to “Know Before You Owe” Mortgage Disclosure Rule Finalized

Today the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (Bureau) finalized an amendment to its “Know Before You Owe” mortgage disclosure rule that addresses when mortgage lenders with a valid justification may pass on increased closing costs to consumers and disclose them on a Closing Disclosure. The update is intended to provide greater clarity and certainty to…

ABA: Report Shows Credit Card Market Expanded in Fourth Quarter 2017 Amid Strong Holiday Spending Season

Credit card use continued to grow in the fourth quarter of 2017 on the back of a strong holiday season for consumer spending, according to the American Bankers Association’s latest quarterly Credit Card Market Monitor. On an annual basis, monthly purchase volumes rose 3.9 percent for prime accounts and 5.1 percent for super-prime accounts, but…

SBA: CDC Small Business Finance Wins SBA’s 2018 Jody C. Raskind Award

The Certified Development Company (CDC) Small Business Finance, a California-based SBA 504 CDC Lender, Community Advantage Lender and Microloan Intermediary, has been selected as this year’s Jody C. Raskind Award recipient.  This recognition is presented annually by the U.S. Small Business Administration to a mission-focused lender that has distinguished itself in helping small businesses start,…