Mortgages

The launch of a combined securitization platform for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is meant to ease the transition to a new housing finance system. But questions remain about how the mortgage sphere will adapt to the single security.

There's been chatter about whether the government-sponsored enterprises should be considered systemically important. But supporters must consider that such a designation would put the Fed in charge of their supervision, a step that would do more harm than good.

Stress tests, capital buffers and liquidity levels are best ways to make financial system safe; HSBC plans to layoff “several hundred” from investment bank.

Readers weigh in on community development at BB&T-SunTrust, consider the role that branches play in bank marketing and debate the future of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

In a presentation Thursday, co-COO Gordon Smith expanded on Jamie Dimon's recent comments about frustrations in the mortgage market, was upbeat about branch profitability and discussed some of the bank's Chase Pay challenges.

Banks and credit unions “push back” against an FCC proposal to limit calls; Miami gets the next assistant the bank says is not intended to replace humans.

Many banks have already scaled back home lending or even left the business. With profit margins shrinking, inventories of homes at crisis levels and competition from nonbanks intensifying, that’s unlikely to change.

Readers weigh in on the role of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, consider personnel changes at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, debate the viability of public banks and more.

The FHFA director’s recent comments about whether the government-sponsored enterprises should be designated as SIFIs tees up a potentially significant element of the mortgage finance debate.

Charges against Stephen Calk indicate he lied to regulators about what he knew when he approved loans to Paul Manafort, as well as his interest in landing a job in the Trump administration.

The two lenders are bucking the trend for the overall industry, which saw year-over-year mortgage growth slide to a 17-year low in March, according to the Bank of Canada.

The charge against Chicago banker Stephen Calk grew out of Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

FHFA Director Mark Calabria should ensure the government-sponsored enterprises hold at least 4% of total assets as part of housing finance reform.

Christian Sewing ready to make "tough cutbacks" while UBS may need a new strategy; SEC says Robert C. Morgan misled banks with fake loan papers.

At a time when costs continue to soar and regulators weigh reforms for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, more than half of the Democratic presidential candidates have talked about housing on the campaign trail.

The parent of Ponce Bank has agreed to acquire Mortgage World Bankers.

While regulation and nonbank competition are spooking some banks and credit unions, others believe low funding costs and the right relationships can help them succeed.

Prepayments tied to repeated VA loan refinancing activity have had an adverse effect on Ginnie’s mortgage securities that persists despite countermeasures. The government bond issuer is making new plans to address the impact.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson appeared not to recognize a commonly known real estate term during a congressional hearing on Tuesday.

While regulation and nonbank competition are spooking some banks, others believe low funding costs and the right relationships can help them succeed.