Research

FHFA: House Price Index Up 1.8 Percent in April; Up 15.7 Percent from Last Year

House prices rose nationwide in April, up 1.8 percent from the previous month, according to the latest Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index (FHFA HPI®).  House prices rose 15.7 percent from April 2020 to April 2021. The previously reported 1.4 percent price change for March 2021 was revised upward to a 1.6 percent increase. For the nine census…

CFPB: Report Issued Highlighting Supervisory Findings of Wide-Ranging Violations of Law in 2020

Examiners found violations in areas including consumer reporting accuracy, redlining, foreclosure, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today issued a report highlighting legal violations identified by the Bureau’s examinations in 2020. The report also highlights prior CFPB supervisory findings that led to public enforcement actions in 2020 resulting in more…

OCC: New Report Indicates Mortgage Performance Declined in First Quarter 2021

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) reported that the performance of first-lien mortgages in the federal banking system declined during the first quarter of 2021. The OCC Mortgage Metrics Report, First Quarter 2021 showed that 94.2 percent of mortgages included in the report were current and performing at the end of the quarter, compared…

Census Bureau: Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 5 Weekly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the fifth phase of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). Data collection began May 17. Results will be released weekly May 27 to July 22. The SBPS includes questions on small business operations and finances, requests and receipt of assistance, COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, measures of overall well-being, and…

ABA: New Report Shows Credit Card Rewards Provide Value to Consumers of All Income Levels, Merchants

New study shows why so many consumers choose to participate in rewards programs Credit card rewards are accessible, valuable, and well-understood by consumers across all income levels according to a new report from the American Bankers Association. ABA examined rewards cards and their value to various participants in the credit card market, including merchants and consumers, segmented…

FHFA: First Quarter 2021 Foreclosure Prevention and Refinance Report Released

More than 5.8 million homeowners helped since conservatorship The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released its first quarter 2021 Foreclosure Prevention and Refinance Report, which shows that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) completed 224,646 foreclosure prevention actions in the first quarter of 2021, bringing the total number of homeowners who have been…

Census Bureau: Small Business Pulse Survey Phase 5 Weekly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the fifth phase of the Small Business Pulse Survey (SBPS). Data collection began May 17. Results will be released weekly May 27 to July 22. The SBPS includes questions on small business operations and finances, requests and receipt of assistance, COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, measures of overall well-being, and…

CFPB: Availability of 2020 HMDA Data on Mortgage Lending Announced

The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) today announced the availability of data on 2020 mortgage lending transactions at 4,475 U.S. financial institutions reported under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Covered institutions include banks, savings associations, credit unions, and mortgage companies. The HMDA data are the most comprehensive publicly available information on mortgage market…

Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Phase 3.1 Biweekly Data Released

The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from phase 3.1 of the experimental Household Pulse Survey. Phase 3.1 includes substantial revisions to the questionnaire. Additional questions address the following new topics: disability, child health access, telehealth and child care. Also included are demographic questions to identify service members and military spouses, and questions to classify respondents employed…

ABA: New Infographic on Homeownership in America Released

In recognition of American Housing Month, the American Bankers Association Foundation today released an infographic outlining current gaps in homeownership rates, barriers faced by younger generations and communities of color trying to own a home, as well as down payment assistance resources banks and other groups offer that can help overcome those barriers. According to the infographic…