Originations

In his annual letter to shareholders, M&T Bank chief Robert Wilmers laid out in compelling detail how government policies intended to protect American families have ultimately stymied economic growth.

Speaking at a town hall event in Washington, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said that post-crisis regulations have made mortgages too costly for consumers — and made homeownership unattainable for borrowers with low incomes or blemished credit histories.

The industry expects to lean on technological efficiencies this year as higher rates and dwindling refinances test their businesses.

Collaboration will allow buyers to tap state assistance for down payment, closing costs.

Republicans repeatedly claim that the Dodd-Frank Act has hurt consumers by raising costs and hampering credit availability. But the data doesn't back that up.

While the inventory of new and existing homes is tight, competition for smaller homes is heating up as aging baby boomers are down-sizing and selling their residences.

Soaring home prices have created market volatility that's making it difficult for appraisers to accurately pinpoint home values and putting mortgage approvals and home sales in jeopardy.

The bank says it will push the rest of the industry to follow its lead and step up lobbying for policies that increase minority homeownership.

Republican lawmakers are citing a recent report that delinquencies rose for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration as a reason to delay a premium cut, but economists suggest the uptick is related to seasonal issues.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago's mortgage originations rose sharply in 2016 thanks to a reintroduction of its traditional Mortgage Partnership Finance loan product.