Mortgages

Any serious discussion of how best to update the Community Reinvestment Act for the 21st century must focus on strengthening the law, not eliminating it.

Time and again, two former associates of President Trump deceived banks in connection with loan applications. Their wealth, proximity to power and willingness to tell big lies all appear to have helped them get away with brazen schemes.

The White House confirmed that it plans to nominate Mark Calabria as the next director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

An agency report said servicing portfolios have shrunk by nearly half in 10 years as much of the mortgage market has shifted to nonbanks.

Expected weaker fundamentals, stock buybacks and higher interest rates all to blame; firms are downsizing as bitcoin prices crash.

The administration’s reported interest in having the White House aide run Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's regulator signals a focus on constraining the mortgage giants’ role in the housing market.

On Sep. 30, 2018. Dollars in thousands.

Loans to house flippers dropped 11% in the third quarter, indicating "possible turbulence;" the German bank may have allowed some clients to claim tax credits on stock they didn't own.

Blockchain backers concede the hype is turning off bankers; Mulvaney's CFPB name change could cost industry millions of dollars; the one banking bill Congress might actually pass next term; and more from this week's most-read stories.

Merchants has agreed to buy NattyMac, a company it has been in business with since 2014.

The CFPB ordered Village Capital & Investment in Henderson, Nev., to issue refunds and pay a penalty for allegedly misrepresenting the cost savings in a refi product.

Reps. Lacy Clay and Emanuel Cleaver, both from Missouri, have shown interest in running the panel that could be a focal point in efforts to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Home prices are rising and first-time buyers now account for an increasing share of sales, factors that could lead to a surge in defaults during the next economic downturn.

The Democrat, who will likely head the Financial Services Committee, has signaled she'll make expanded housing opportunities for lower-income consumers a top priority.

Social Finance, the lending and refinancing startup valued at more than $4 billion, is cutting about 7% of its staff, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Zions' Harris Simmons named Banker of the Year; distilling the hopes and hang-ups around CRA reform; new grist in still ongoing debate over Operation Choke Point; and more from this week's most-read stories.

Lawmakers have had to extend the program eight times since October 2017, as Congress has been unable to pass broader reforms.

The central bank may be looking at other benchmarks besides the fed funds rate to conduct monetary policy; dropping human appraisers from most home sales raises concerns.

The Federal Housing Administration's risk-sharing program with the Federal Financing Bank began as a temporary fix, but the agency is exploring how to make it more permanent.

The sustained rise in home values will boost Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's loan limits for 2019, marking the second consecutive year in which it increased by nearly 7%.